Iwi Invest To Build New Masterton Medical Centre
The healthcare facility will be adjacent to Masterton Medical's current premises, behind Wairarapa Hospital on Te Ore Ore Road in Masterton.
Settlement Trust Chair, Paora Ammunson, said the deal has been a long time coming.
'I want to acknowledge our investment team, led by Andrew Watters, who have been working on this purchase for quite some time.
'We're thrilled to now confirm our investment, which will help to uplift the Wairarapa region,' he said.
'Our commercial partnership with Masterton Medical is a build-to-rent agreement, and we will work together to ensure the new building is welcoming to all, fit for purpose and cost-effective.'
Trustee and Te Ore Ore Marae hapū karanga representative, Huria Robens, acknowledged the crucial role that mana whenua will play as kaitiaki of the site.
'We will involve mana whenua on appropriate tikanga at each stage of the build,' she said.
Masterton Medical is one of the largest medical centres of its kind in New Zealand and has been living in temporary premises since 2014 following a fire at its Lincoln Road base.
'We are so excited to finally be planning our new building,' Masterton Medical General Manager, Robyn Wilson, said.
'It will be purpose-built to facilitate our model of healthcare, which is driven by patient flow and continuity of care.'
The new centre will house all services already available to patients including the pharmacy, health coach and health improvement practitioner.
Investment Trust Chair, Andrew Watters, confirmed the iwi purchased the 8.7 hectare site from the Crown, and said the medical centre will occupy about one hectare.
'We will be working through how to develop the balance of the land over the coming years,' he said.
'Our decisions are made with careful consideration for the long-term, and all future development will require strong business cases, a solid plan, and tenants that fit within our investment policy, like we have achieved with Masterton Medical.'
Wairarapa-based Concept Construction is the lead contractor for the project, and local developer David Borman is providing expertise.
The Investment Trust says it will determine further procurement based on supplier diversity and values-alignment.
Masterton Medical Board Chairman, Bob Francis, said the partnership with Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua is a great outcome for both parties.
'We are really excited to firm up a new and permanent home and to do so with local iwi is a tremendous outcome for us all,' Mr Francis said.
The timeline for construction of the new medical centre is currently being finalised.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
6 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
AI-powered app targeting cognitive health of older adults
Adults frequently tell their children to stop spending so much time on their mobile devices, for fear it will rot their brains. Ironically, Dunedin-based app company Elli Cares is helping to develop a world-first, AI-powered mobile phone app that will assist older adults in monitoring and strengthening their cognitive health. Elli Cares originally supported seniors living with dementia, by creating a mobile app that gave them gentle reminders when it was time to take medications, go to appointments, carry out tasks such as refilling medications scripts, and informing family members if their loved one missed a reminder or left a safe zone. It aimed to empower them to live independently, confidently and with greater control over their health and wellbeing. The New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) recently awarded a $4million Catalyst: Strategic research grant, alongside additional co-funding from Singapore's National Research Foundation, to develop a new app which can monitor and strengthen the cognitive health of all seniors — not just those with dementia. Elli Cares founder Angela Edwards said the company would work with Dementia New Zealand, and researchers from the University of Otago, Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Auckland, alongside the Singapore-based National Neuroscience Institute, the A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing, and Lions Befrienders. The new app would use speech and game-based tasks to assess memory, decision-making and verbal fluency. It would also use adaptive AI algorithms that tailored activities to each user's performance, analyse their performance, and alert families and clinicians with summaries if changes to their performance were detected. Ms Edwards said studies had shown the brain was a muscle that needed to be used, and if it was not used, "it wastes away". She said playing games like Candy Crush, Wordle, Sudoku, and even "rapid-fire shooting games',' on mobile phones were good for cognitive health. "We can actually identify a number of different types of games that can help different parts of your brain. "We want to find recall games that can help with memory; rapid fire games that can help with response times; and language-based games that can help with vocabulary and communication." The new app marks a shift from passive diagnosis, to proactive cognitive resilience. The project will include a pioneering integrated ethics programme, led by University of Otago Dunedin School of Medicine bioethics lecturer Dr Tania Moerenhout, to ensure the users' values, autonomy and privacy were prioritised from the earliest design stages. Dr Moerenhout said older adults may prioritise autonomy and meaningful living, while families would focus on safety. "AI tools must reflect those nuances. "Embedding ethics across the design process is key to building trust and ensuring the technology truly supports the lives people want to lead." Ms Edwards said the new app would be embedded into the Elli Cares app, because it was already being used in more than 40 countries, making it quicker and easier to deploy and expand the new app. She was thrilled the next-generation tool would bring world-class AI researchdirectly into the lives of all older adults and their families.
Scoop
20 hours ago
- Scoop
PsychologyCare Highlights Evidence-Based Psychotherapy And CBT Services In Melbourne
PsychologyCare, a Melbourne-based psychology clinic with locations in Malvern and Prahran, continues to provide integrative, evidence-based mental health support for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and related concerns. The clinic's team of experienced psychologists and psychotherapists offers a range of therapeutic modalities tailored to individual client needs. Among the core services at PsychologyCare is psychotherapy in Melbourne, which combines approaches such as intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP), somatic therapies, cognitive-behavioural techniques, and mindfulness. This integrative model is designed to help clients address not only surface symptoms but also underlying patterns contributing to emotional distress. Each treatment plan is developed collaboratively, with clinicians conducting thorough assessments and regular outcome tracking to monitor progress over time. A key therapeutic approach utilised at the clinic is cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT. This structured, evidence-based intervention focuses on identifying and challenging unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns. CBT is widely recognised for its effectiveness in treating anxiety disorders, depression, and stress-related conditions. Techniques such as thought restructuring, exposure therapy, and skill-building exercises are incorporated to support clients in achieving greater emotional regulation and resilience. PsychologyCare's services are available both in-person at their Malvern and Prahran clinics and via telehealth for clients across Victoria and Australia. The practice emphasises a collaborative and client-centred approach, with a focus on creating a safe and supportive environment for individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those seeking trauma-informed care or support for life transitions. Appointments can be arranged by phone or through the clinic's online contact form, with initial intake calls available to help match clients with an appropriate therapist. PsychologyCare remains committed to delivering high-quality mental health care grounded in current psychological research and best practice.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Scoop
Genetic Methylation Testing Services Provide Personalised Health Insights In Australia
Life X DNA, an Australian-based provider of advanced DNA testing, offers comprehensive genetic methylation analysis to individuals seeking greater understanding of their health and genetic predispositions - all through a convenient at-home test kit. The company's services are available Australia and New Zealand–wide. In Queensland, individuals can access Brisbane genetic methylation tests delivered directly to their homes, with no need to visit a clinic or lab. Each kit includes clear instructions for at-home sample collection and secure return shipping. Those based in Victoria can take advantage of methylation testing in Melbourne via the same process, with results available through Life X DNA's encrypted online portal within two to three weeks. Genetic methylation testing examines chemical modifications in DNA that influence gene activity, providing insights into metabolism, immune response, cardiovascular health, and other wellness factors. Life X DNA's approach includes the analysis of over 20 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and leverages artificial intelligence to interpret more than 80 million genetic variants. This allows for a detailed assessment of how genetic and epigenetic factors may affect an individual's wellbeing. Key features of Life X DNA's testing process include non-invasive cheek swab collection, secure laboratory analysis within Australia, and private online delivery of results. Reports provide insights into methylation pathway efficiency, MTHFR gene variations, homocysteine metabolism, neurotransmitter balance, and detoxification capacity. These findings can help inform personalised nutrition and lifestyle strategies, though the company notes the reports are not intended for diagnostic or treatment use. With all data processed and stored locally under strict privacy protocols, Life X DNA supports customers across Australia and New Zealand with accessible, science-based genetic insights. Those interested in learning more or ordering a kit can visit the Life X DNA website for further information.
