Vice-chancellor Grant Robertson confirmed he was planning to move a significant proportion of the staff in the Clocktower building — including himself — into the open-plan working spaces in the consumer and applied science building.
It was his intention to make the Clocktower more accessible.
"This move will enable the university’s iconic Clocktower building to be more open to use by the whole university community and the wider public.
"Staff remaining in the Clocktower building will include those who work with international students and the schools’ liaison and alumni teams.
"Currently, the plan is for the shift to take place later this year, once final construction work in the consumer and applied sciences building is completed."
Mr Robertson said that was not new expenditure, and there was no extra cost for relocating staff from the Clocktower.
"The approved budget for the consumer and applied sciences refurbishment project allowed for the occupation of the building, regardless of who the occupants were."
He hoped that the Clocktower would be utilised by the whole university for significant events, lectures and occasions, Mr Robertson said.
It would still be used for meeting visitors and holding meetings and events and "for some student and outward-focused staff to work".
"I also want it to be a place the wider community and visitors can come to and learn about our history and be inspired by our present and our future."
In total, it is expected about 75 to 80 staff will relocate.
The cost of the original food science development, which included the consumer and applied sciences refurbishment, was $44 million.
When the project was cancelled, the approved budget was revised to $22.9m, which included seismic strengthening.
"There have been a range of discussions about potential occupants for the renovated space.
"The food science development is part of the division of sciences’ space strategy through which an alternative permanent location for them is now being developed."
