In a tightly coordinated sequence of steps involving cranes, large trucks, and pilot vehicles that would make Mission: Impossible look simple, a Barnardos early learning centre building has been split into nine pieces and moved from northern Hamilton to Turua on the Hauraki Plains.

Starting with carpenters and electricians making the final preparations for the building’s move, it was all go on Tuesday 9 January. A crane arrived in Rototuna at midday to load the first two parts of the building onto flatbed trucks. At 3 pm, pilot vehicles appeared ready to escort the trucks on their slow, 90-kilometre drive to the building’s new home. Once there, the trucks and crane parked up for the night and discharged the building segments onto new framing the next morning where the team from Focus Remediation were prepped to secure them.

Once the trucks and crane had returned to Hamilton, this meticulous process was repeated until Friday 12 January when all parts of the building had been successfully relocated to Turua.

Subject to funding, the relocated Barnardos building will be kitted out with new furniture, more resources and equipment, and a new playground will be created.

The refitted building will be a modern, fit-for-purpose centre providing early learning to the Turua and surrounding community that will give tamariki, like the building itself, strong foundations for the future.

Barnardos is still seeking funding for this project. Anyone interested in making a donation can contact us on 0800 005 437 or fundraising@barnardos.org.nz.

A truck with a building on it.

Crane moving a new building into position.

Cranes, trucks, and pilot vehicles on a mission to shift early learning centre building