News and notices Pānui
New wellness centre to improve health care for children with neurodevelopmental, behavioural, and mental health concerns
08 November 2024
Hon Matt Doocey, Minister for Mental Health, today opened Te Waka Aorangi | Child Wellness Centre at Tauranga Hospital, marking a significant milestone in the Government’s commitment to enhancing the health of children and whānau in Bay of Plenty.
“Te Waka Aorangi is leading the way by providing a ‘one-stop-shop’ for children with neurodevelopmental, behavioural, and mental health concerns — the only child wellness centre in New Zealand using a specific innovative integrated model of care,” says Minister Doocey.
The centre uses the Child Health Integrated Response Pathways (CHIRP) model of care which involves specialists working together in the same space to ensure children are at the centre of all assessment and treatment.
Our health professionals will work alongside education, iwi and community partners to achieve better outcomes for our children.
“This model makes it easier for children and whānau to access the support they need in a timely way,” says Minister Doocey.
“We know that early intervention gives children the best chance to thrive. With support from a range of services and clinicians in one place, we can better help children and their whānau.”
The Centre has been expertly designed to cater to children who may behave, think or move differently from their peers. A design mantra “Through the Eyes of a Child” was adopted when designing the Centre, to create a space that enables child specialists to undertake their mahi yet is engaging and comfortable for tamariki and whānau.
The Centre has been designed and furnished with both adult and child friendly furniture, and child enjoyment amenities such as toys and materials for drawing and colouring at child height tables and chairs.
Active assessment through play is a critical part of understanding children’s developmental hurdles. An inside active playroom has specialised rubber flooring, hard surfaced ceilings, protected light fittings, both hard and soft finished walls, a climbing frame and swing, along with balls and other spatial awareness, balance and co-ordination equipment.