Te Whare Awhiora.

Te Whare Awhiora is an innovative mental health facility that integrates Māori-centric design principles and biophilic design, creating a welcoming, inclusive, and culturally inclusive environment. Designed in collaboration with Architects 44 and Tupara Creative the facility will be a welcoming whare, with 12 beds, whānau spaces, flexible therapy rooms and an outdoor courtyard to allow a connection with nature.

The facility has adopted contemporary models of care and will allow consumers to maintain a connection with their whānau.

The new unit has been designed with input from local clinicians, a users’ group, and representatives from consumers, iwi and staff, who worked with local architects, and a local artist.

The building will have both Zero Energy and Core Green sustainability certifications, meaning it will have a very low environmental impact.