FAQs on the new Archives building

Construction began on 2 February 2022.  The site was blessed by Kaumatua beforehand to ensure the safety of the workers.

The building is very complex and as a result has a long construction programme. It is expected to finish around the middle of 2025 for opening around the middle of 2026.

As with any major construction project, there will be some disruption to those in neighbouring buildings.  Strict tolerances have been set by both DIA and Wellington City Council around noise and vibrations from the site.  The impact on your work depends on what you do and where, however there will be noise, vibration and dust in the early stages of the building's construction.

Ground works will begin from February 2022 and will likely continue for 14 months, concluding with the installation of the base isolators.  During this time there will be noise and vibration from breaking out the existing slab and drilling foundations.  DIA is working with the contractor and landowner to set up monitoring equipment to ensure noise and vibrations are kept within agreed tolerances.

The footpath on Aitken Street that runs between Mulgrave Street and Guthrie Lane will be out of action and pedestrians will be directed to the other side of Aitken Street. There will be no parking in Guthrie Lane - this will mainly affect contractors.  LT McGuinness will have site workers on Guthrie Lane to manage traffic throughout construction.

From time to time works may disrupt access into Guthrie Lane. We will endeavour to let people know this in advance. Usually these disruptions are only for a short period of time (under an hour).

Construction will not disrupt the way customers access our services, however customers visiting our buildings are most likely to be impacted by noise. The DIA Property team and the Heke Rua Archives project team will work closely with the construction contractor to manage the impact on delivery access to the National Library's dockway on Guthrie Lane so that services to customers continue to meet agreed timeframes.

There is no expectation that construction will have any impact on collections. As an added precaution, the DIA Property team is looking to install additional external filters to air intakes to ensure dust particules do not enter the National Library air conditioning systems. DIA Property is also looking at cooling options for those Archives NZ teams who may need to keep their windows shut due to dust.

We know that some equipment is sensitive to vibration.  This equipment will be tested early in the construction process to see whether construction is having an impact.  The Heke Rua Archives Project team is working with staff in these areas to manage any issues.

You will need to talk to your manager about your working from home arrangements.

Speak with your manager about your options for managing any disruption to your work.

Your health and safety is of utmost importance. It is unlikely that construction will pose a direct health and safety risk, but ear plugs are available from the Mulgrave Street, National Library and Pipitea Street Receptions to help mitigate the noise. The construction contractor has a comprehensive safety plan to ensure the safety of its workers, visitors to the site, and the public who may be close to the site.

We acknowledge that the disruption from construction may have a negative impact on your wellbeing, in particular during the early stages of construction. Please talk to your manager if you have particular concerns.

(For DIA only) Wellbeing resources are available on DIA's mental health and wellbeing hub.