Images by Strike Photography

A Culturally Responsive Mental Health Facility for Tairāwhiti 

Te Whare Awhi Ora, meaning “the house that embraces healing”, is a purpose-built $31 million facility designed to provide acute mental health and addiction services for the Tairāwhiti region. This new unit replaces the previous eight-bed ward with a modern, culturally responsive ten-bed facility featuring: 

• Five general ward rooms
• Three high-dependency rooms 
• Two short-stay rooms 

The design reflects Kaupapa Māori principles, ensuring cultural narratives and tikanga are embedded throughout the building. With over 60% of service users identifying as Māori, collaboration with mana whenua, iwi representatives, clinicians, and Māori artists was central to the project. 

Biophilic design elements such as natural light, tactile materials, and landscaped courtyards create a therapeutic environment that promotes dignity, comfort, and holistic recovery. The facility is designed to meet Living Building Challenge Core Green standards, setting a benchmark for sustainability in healthcare design. 

Challenges 

The project required solutions that balance: 

• Safety and normalisation in high-risk environments
• Ligature resistance without compromising aesthetics 
• Durability and hygiene for clinical compliance
• Integration of cultural and biophilic design principles 

Solutions Provided 

Nimbl Group and Galvin Engineering supplied specialised mental health products that meet these stringent requirements, including: 

• Ligature-resistant tapware and showers for patient bathrooms 
• Wallgate solid surface sanitaryware for durability and safety 
• Water management systems for efficiency and compliance 

Our solutions were chosen for their proven performance in secure healthcare settings and their ability to complement the project’s cultural and therapeutic design goals. 

Outcome 

Te Whare Awhi Ora provides a safe, inclusive, and healing environment for tāngata whaiora (service users), whānau, and staff. By combining robust safety features with cultural integrity and sustainability, the facility sets a new standard for mental health and addiction care in Aotearoa. 

Galvin is proud to have contributed to a project that embodies hope, healing, and connection. 

Key Data

Products Installed