Sprott House opening

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).

I then specifically greet you: Don Rennie, President of Sprott House and your wife Moira; members of the Board of Trustees; Carole Hazelman, General Manager of Sprott House and your fellow staff; Your Worship Kerry Prendergast, Mayor of Wellington; Ian McKinnon, Deputy Mayor; Hon Ruth Dyson, Member of Parliament; Residents; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.

Thank you for inviting my wife Susan and I to the official opening of the Don and Moira Rennie Wing of Sprott House, here in Karori.

I have been asked to officially open this new wing and just before doing so, I would like to make some comment on the importance of aged care in New Zealand and the contribution that Sprott House has made in the provision of this important service to our community.

At the outset I would like to make mention of my own connections with Sprott House, and with Don and Moira Rennie.

I have known Don Rennie as a friend for more than thirty years now and have always admired his professional acumen and generosity of spirit which has put so much into Sprott House and to Wellington more generally.

Your contributions to Sprott House, Don, are hugely significant and include being a member of the Board of Trustees for 14 years and President for eight years.  Additionally, Moira you have been running a professionally choreographed exercise to music programme here at Sprott House for the past 18 years. You have both made this establishment work in the modern era and that has been recognised in the naming of this new wing.

In 2007, I had the privilege of opening the Olphert and Wederell wings of Sprott House. Prior to that occasion—and I recounted the story on my last visit—of coming happily here about 15 years ago to spend a few minutes with an elderly retired doyen Wellington solicitor, Roy Stacey.  He was very appreciative of everything here, the sole exception being the weather, which he said was not nearly as good as that lower down the slopes from here where he lived on The Terrace !

On more serious note, New Zealand’s population is ageing and as such, the need for aged care facilities is increasing.

Statistics New Zealand says, in a recent study that the 65+ age group will make up over one-quarter of New Zealand’s population from the late 2030s, compared with 12% in 2005.  This primarily reflects New Zealand’s post-war baby boom generation entering retirement.

As New Zealand’s population continues to age, and with medical advances ensuring that we all live longer lives, it seems that facilities such as those provided here at Sprott House will be in continuing and growing demand. 

I have become very conscious of this increasing need for aged care facilities in the Governor-General role.  In addition to the buildings I have previously opened here at Sprott House, I have also had the pleasure of opening a number of other aged care facilities including Glenwood Masonic Hospital’s new home in Masterton, and the new Kowhai Wing at Wellington’s Te Hopai Home in Newtown.

Like these established providers of care for the elderly, Sprott House has a proud long history.  Its life began some years before the opening of Government House, which is due to reopen next year on completion then of a major Conservation Project.

As Don Rennie has mentioned, the L.T. McGuinness firm has been at the helm of the Government House Conservation Project as well as being the contractor of choice for these new facilities.

Given the excellent standard of work L.T. McGuinness has already undertaken at Government House, I have no doubt that this new wing of Sprott House is of a very high standard and that it will give good service for many years to come.

Government House was built to open in 1910 but Sprott House has existed since 1898 and now, 112 years on, is a thriving retirement and rest home that supports Wellington’s senior citizens and their families.

With a warm, caring and secure environment for residents and their visitors, Sprott House provides a home away from home when total independence is no longer an option.

This building programme, which has spanned more than six years, has now been completed and has increased the capacity and level of care provided to residents. With the addition of a number of independent villas, increased hospital rooms, and a specialised dementia-care facility, which was officially opened in March this year, Sprott House now caters for more than double its original 42 bed capacity.

The latest addition, aptly named the Don and Moira Rennie Wing, provides the option for married couples to remain together in a supportive and caring environment, when assistance and hospital care is needed.

Moving out of the home that one has lived in with spouse or partner for many years is often a difficult transition. Being able to continue to live with your husband, wife or partner provides important stability in a time of change.

Growing old is natural part of life and it is important that older New Zealanders and their achievements and contribution to our nation are respected and acknowledged. As New Zealand writer, the late Bub Bridger, noted with her typically acerbic wit, as follows: “I refuse to grow old in any way but reluctantly and as bold as brass.”

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have been part of not only the completion of this building programme, but also the many people who have contributed to Sprott House and enhanced its reputation as a leading aged care facility in Wellington.

And on that note I will close in New Zealand’s first language Māori, by offering everyone greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours.    No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.

It is now with great pleasure that I announce the Don and Moira Rennie Wing of Sprott House officially open.