New Kaikoura Health Centre Opens - a Community Effort

15 April 2016

New Kaikoura Health Centre Opens - a Community Effort

Kaikoura Health Te Hā o Te Ora was officially opened this afternoon by the Minister of Health, Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman.

The new $13.4 million, 2800m² state-of-the-art facility enjoys views over the Kaikoura ranges and out to the bay. It provides primary, aged, acute and maternity care, radiology services and trauma stabilisation and replaces a 100-year old hospital.

David Meates, Canterbury District Health Board Chief Executive, says the new health centre also features multi-purpose GP rooms, physiotherapy, community dental, optometry, and space for visiting health specialists.

“There are a number of flexible spaces to ensure the facility will meet the needs of the community today and in the future,” he says.

Mr Meates says what makes this new health centre extra special is the fact that the community played such a big role in fundraising to ensure the project went ahead.

“The Government put in $10 million and the remaining $3.4 million has come from the community.

“I would like to acknowledge the many hours of work put in by Joe van Rooyen and other members of the Fundraising Trust and the countless hours given by members of the local community.

“Without people prepared to put their hand up do the hard yards, this facility would not have happened. Fundraising included an op-shop, a polo match, applying for grants and a host of other events.”

Four local people took part in today’s opening ceremony:

The ribbon to Kaikoura Health Te Hā o Te Ora was cut by two future health professionals Hineari Kahu and Tammy Smith-Kerr. Hine is in her second year of med school in Otago and is determined to return to the health centre as a GP. Tammy is a Year 13 pupil at Kaikoura High School and plans to train as a nurse after spending time over the past two years working in Kaikoura Hospital, supporting the nurses and healthcare assistants, as part of the school’s Gateway Programme.

A commemorative cake was cut by Kaikoura’s oldest resident, 99-year-old Margaret Edgar, who was born in the former Kaikoura hospital. She was ably assisted by ‘Aunty Phyllis Papworth’ as she is known to the locals.

The magnificent voices of the Kai-Chorus entertained hundreds of locals and officials who turned out to celebrate the opening.

“After so many years in the making, days like today – where we can celebrate a project that was delivered on time and on budget with the full backing of the local community – are one of the great highlights of my role,” Mr Meates says.

ENDS

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