Taranaki Base Hospital’s new mental health facility named Te Puna Wai Kātea

1 August 2024

Taranaki Base Hospital’s new stand-alone mental health rehabilitation facility is quickly taking shape.

In just a few weeks the building’s foundation and wall framing have been completed, with work now underway installing the trusses to support the roof.

Once complete the new facility will provide clinical care and rehabilitation services to a small group of people whose mental health journeys are especially challenging. It will be a place where patients can be based while they learn or re-learn the everyday skills needed to transition to independent living back in the community.

We’re thrilled to see the facility coming together and the great progress on site, says Rosemary Clements, senior responsible officer for Project Maunga.

“It’s also exciting to be able to announce that Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has been gifted a Māori name for the new facility. It will be known as Te Puna Wai Kātea,” says Clements.

“The name Te Puna Wai Kātea is a celebration of Te Reo and a reflection of this project’s commitment to Taranaki tikanga. It is a gift that will be treasured by the Taranaki community and by Health New Zealand.”

The name was gifted by the Tiriti partner for Project Maunga, Taumaruroa; a group made up of mana whenua Ngāti Te Whiti and representatives from each of the three waka of Taranaki.

“It was important for the group that the name reflected the facility’s purpose, its values, and its vision. says Tamati Neho Poutoko Hauora, Project Maunga.

“For us, intention or meaning behind Te Puna Wai Kātea is about encouraging our patients/whaiora to find clarity in their lives.”

“The word puna, means a pool of water that is formed by a spring. It represents the spring of health and well-being. While the word wai kātea means clear clean water. It represents clarity, the state of having a full, detailed, and orderly mental grasp of something.”

For more information about Project Maunga and Taranaki Base Hospital’s new mental health facility Te Puna Wai Katea visit Project Maunga (tdhb.org.nz).

Artist illustrations of Te Puna Wai Kātea, the new mental health rehabilitation facility.

Artist illustrations of one of the bedrooms in Te Puna Wai Kātea.

Artist illustration of the interior of Te Puna Wai Kātea.

Last updated: Thursday, August 1, 2024

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