In the heart of the new state-of-art Hospital building,the Well Foundation proudly unveiled New Zealand’s first large-scale indoor hospital Healing Garden. Occupying 400 square metres in the hospital’s central atrium, this lush subtropical space is a peaceful, green sanctuary designed to nurture the wellbeing of patients, families, visitors, and staff alike.

The Healing Garden features:

• Over 500 thriving plants.

• Thoughtfully designed lighting that brings the space to life.

• Built-in and floating seating areas offering moments of privacy and quiet.

• A dedicated staff retreat area, providing a restful escape during busy shifts.

This beautiful indoor garden is more than just a space — it’s rooted in research that shows the powerful impact of nature in healthcare environments. Studies have found that exposure to greenery can help patients require less pain relief, shorten hospital stays, and significantly ease anxiety during recovery.

Many of the hospital’s ward rooms overlook the Healing Garden, ensuring that the calming presence of nature is never far away. It's a gift that will enhance the wellbeing of everyone who walks through the hospital’s doors — not just today, but for generations to come.

A Hospital Built with Heart

The Healing Garden is just one of three major projects made possible by the Well Foundation’s community of generous donors. Thanks to this incredible support, we have also contributed to:

• Robotic surgery technology — bringing the first publicly available robotic surgery capability to New Zealand hospitals.

• A dedicated whānau/family room on each ward — providing comfort and privacy for families caring for someone in critical or end-of life care.

• And, of course, the magnificent Healing Garden in the central atrium.

Together, these projects represent a shared vision — a hospital where innovation, compassion, and community spirit come together to create better health outcomes for all.

Thank you to everyone who donated and made this possible.