Earlier this year, patients and staff joined forces to bring the landscape design for Te Puna Wai Kātea, Taranaki Base Hospital's new stand-alone mental health rehabilitation facility, to life.
The planting day was made possibly because of the incredible generosity from Tui Landscape who donated their time and plants for the garden, Westown Haulage who provided the topsoil and bark and Ultimate Concrete he supplied the concrete planters.
“It was fantastic to see everyone working together to transform the new facility's garden into a vibrant and healing space,” says Jesse Jardine, Programme Director for Project Maunga, Health New Zealand |Te Whatu Ora.
“The garden is a key aspect of the facility's design because it provides a rejuvenating outdoor space where patients can enjoy activities and spend time with whānau and visitors.”
A few days before the planting day, students from New Plymouth Boys High School helped prepare the garden beds for planting as part of their Do Something for Nothing initiative. Grant Hall and his team from Tui Landscaping were on-site to execute the planting layout and guide volunteers and Building Wellness Taranaki ensured the workers were well-fed.
Local Talent. Local Design
The garden design was envisioned by WITT architecture student Asja Fairbrother during her 2024 internship with Project Maunga. When Asja presented her concept design, the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora project team were so impressed, that they wanted to see it become a reality.
“We are delighted to bring Asja's thoughtful design to fruition with support from our community. This garden has been created by the community for the community,” continues Jardine.
The garden features vegetable planters where residents can learn to grow and cook their food. Native plantings with cultural significance have also been carefully considered to ensure the garden is beautiful and meaningful.
The new garden will be enjoyed by staff, patients, and whānau when Te Puna Wai Kātea is officially opened next month.
A huge thank you from the Taranaki Health Foundation to everyone that was involved in getting this done. Garden spaces are vital for the well being of patients. Everyone's generosity is very much appreciated.