A new outdoor space at North Haven Hospice

North Haven Hospice in Whangārei provides palliative care to people of all ages, offering support and guidance to individuals, whānau and carers in the Whangārei and southeast Kaipara Districts. Partially Government funded, North Haven Hospice relies largely on the generosity of their community to continue offering their services free to those living with terminal conditions and illnesses.

Because of the essential role North Haven Hospice plays in their community, co-owners of Mitre 10 MEGA Whangārei Amy Christenson and Ben Lowe felt they were the perfect recipient of a Helping Hand. “We’re so passionate about being able to help people during a difficult transition,” Amy said, “so they can move through something we all go through with grace.”

The project? To restore and extend the outdoor spaces at the hospice’s inpatient unit, making it accessible so more people can connect and reflect in the peace and tranquility of the beautiful bush surrounding the building.

Amy and Ben’s team pulled in locals Ben Padden (of Padden Builders) and Wilson Builders to lead the construction of the new elements, with project support from local volunteers and a network of suppliers and customers including Clay’s Concrete LTD, ECKO, Freeman Roofing, Firth Concrete, Northland Concrete Pumps, and NJM Builders.

The assembled Helping Hands crew turned an unused and overgrown back garden into a shaded and accessible space where patients and their whānau can enjoy nature. The space features new bench seating with a pergola for shelter. Some older bench seating was also replaced to create additional spots for people to relax and reflect among the lush greenery.