Opening of Te Hopai Home and Hospital's Kowhai Wing

May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.

Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the morning (Sign)
May I then specifically greet you: Euan Wright, Chair of the Te Hopai Trust Group and your fellow trustees; Pakize Sari, General Manager and your fellow staff; Distinguished guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

It was with great pleasure that my wife Susan and I accepted the invitation to visit Te Hopai Home and Hospital today.  I have been asked to officially open the redeveloped Kowhai Wing, but before I do, I would like to speak a little of the significance of this home and its facilities.

At the outset, I should state that I am pleased to join the long line of Governors and Governors-General who have opened new facilities here at Te Hopai. The connection began in 1889 when the then Governor, Sir William Jervois, opened the first home built on this site. 

But as the plaques at the entranceway testify, the connection did not end there. In 1976, Governor-General, Sir Denis Blundell, opened the new home built here and in 1989 Sir Paul Reeves unveiled a plaque to mark the home’s centenary. 

Dame Catherine Tizard then opened the Kowhai wing in 1993 and then unveiled a plaque in 1996 to mark the commencement of work on the hospital wing. A few months later, Sir Michael Hardie Boys unveiled a plaque to mark the completion of that work.

These connections seem to be particularly appropriate given that Te Hopai and New Zealand’s Governors-General have been next door neighbours here in Newtown for nearly 100 years since Government House opened in 1910.

This place, however, has a history that stretches back much further.  The first Home was established on this site in 1889 and is believed to be the oldest retirement home dedicated to the care of the elderly in New Zealand.

The first home was built here with funds donated by prominent Wellington citizens.   The names of those initial supporters, who attended a meeting at the city council in 1885, include a veritable who’s who of Wellington’s founders. There are names like John Plimmer, often described as “father of Wellington,” W.H. Levin, after whom the township of Levin got its name, and businessman, farmer and parliamentarian Charles Pharazyn, to name but a few.

With £1000 promised for the project, Parliament in 1886 authorised the grant of land from the Wellington hospital reserve as the site for a home for the aged poor.  The following year what was then called the Wellington Society of the Aged Needy as incorporated and met for the first time.

In regard to that Society I also have another, albeit very slight connection, with Te Hopai.  The Board’s first secretary was a Mr C.P. Powles, grandfather of New Zealand’s first ombudsman, Sir Guy Powles.  I knew Sir Guy and he encouraged my career as a lawyer and I was later privileged to follow him as an Ombudsman from 1995 to 2005. 

Looking at the plaques and reading the home’s centennial history, it becomes clear that the Trust Board has never sat on its laurels.  It has always been looking to improve facilities and services to residents, to reflect changing needs, standards and expectations.

That ethos can be seen in the home’s Māori name, “Te Hopai” adopted in 1952.  The centennial history records the name “Te Hopai” being chosen because the approximation of “safe harbour” or “safe haven” was seen as befitting the home’s purposes.  

Not only has Te Hopai’s board and management been always on the lookout to improve services, but this facility has continued to be well supported by the people of Wellington, particularly through bequests and donations.

With that support, 18 months ago, the Board embarked on yet another new project, namely to rebuild the Kowhai wing.  At a cost of more than $4 million, I am advised this is now a state-of-the-art dementia unit that sets a high standard in aged care.  I understand there to be 38 rest home beds, 49 hospital or continuing care beds and 16 dementia beds.

The Trust Board is to be congratulated on its foresight and planning, for two reasons.  First, despite the significant outlay involved, I understand the project has been finished with no debt, which is highly commendable.

Secondly, and more importantly, as New Zealand’s population continues to age, and with medical advances ensuring that we all live longer lives, it seems that facilities such those provided here at Te Hopai will be in growing demand.

The success to which I refer, reflects the dedication of the trustees to follow the philosophy of the founders of the home.  As the then Chairman Ian Rankine wrote in the foreword to the centennial history, the philosophy was that Te Hopai should be:-

“an independent, non-denominational, charitable organisation catering for elderly citizens in the twilight of their lives and in doing so, carefully avoiding the creation of any financial barriers that would preclude entry by those less well endowed with personal assets than others more fortunately placed.”

As Te Hopai now heads towards its 125th anniversary in a few years time, it seems fitting to say that adherence to the philosophy remains firm.

Accordingly, as neighbour and Governor-General of New Zealand, it gives me great pleasure to declare the redeveloped Kowhai wing at Te Hopai Home and Hospital officially open.

And on that note, I will close in New Zealand’s first language Māori, offering greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours. 

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.