This existing two storey 800sq.m. building built circa 1960 has been renovated and repurposed Te Whare o Rehua with a new nurse led Hauora Whānau Centre on the ground level and the Trust’s head office on the second floor with rooms available for allied services including budget advisers and social workers. The interior design encompasses Māori values as well as incorporating modern healthcare facilities.
Located near the heart of Whangārei town centre, the facility includes a new lift and pedestrian ramp access, triage room, six consultation rooms, a treatment room and whanau room on the ground floor and office space and meeting rooms on the first floor with provision for future Dialysis treatment. Meeting and consult spaces were arranged to maximise natural light through existing windows, and skylights were installed to introduce daylight to an internal staff room on the first floor.
Lead by client representative Janine Kaipo and artist Allen Wihongi, the theme of the interior is based on the story of Rehua. “Rehua is the eldest son of Ranginui and Papatūānuku. He is deity of the stars, health and kindness. He disperses gloom and sorrow. He is an indicator of summer. He gave Tāne Mahuta birds and the trees for them to eat from. He provided Rongoā Māori. He is father of Matariki.”
Natural materials and colour palettes were selected that work in harmony with natural local bush scenes that were photographed (by photographer Ellie Smith) and printed on to glass partitions separating spaces. This was to create spaces with a “quiet and reflective ambience, where people can sit as if they were in the bush, and be distracted or distanced from whatever ailments or worries they may have.”
In the entranceways feature LED lighting set in a black ceiling represent 16 stars that form Te-Pūtahi-Nui-O-Rehua (constellation of Scorpio), with Rehua (Antares) the largest brightest light.