
Photo credit: Andy Spain
Nau mai ki Te Wao Nui, our modern child health service for the Wellington region. Te Wao Nui can be found in the Mark Dunajtschik and Dorothy Spotswood Building, next to Wellington Regional Hospital.
Te Wao Nui will allow our team of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to come together under one roof to care for tamariki / mokopuna (children) needing specialist medical and surgical care.
Young people and whānau began visiting level 2 for their outpatient appointments from Monday 17 October 2022. The following day we welcomed patients from Ward 2 of the old children’s hospital to their new lighter, larger and private rooms on the level 3 Kōwhai Ward.
The White Cedar Café on level 2 began welcoming patients, staff and the public on 6 November 2022. They are open from 7am - 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am - 5pm on weekends.
The Medical Children’s Ward and Wahi Tamariki (ED Paediatrics) on Ward 1 will remain in Clinical Services Block, until the building works on level four of Te Wao Nui are completed in 2023.
For information about other regional child health services, please click here.
Level 2 look out for our kaitiaki Tiaki, who can help you find your way on this floor.
| Level 2 of Te Wao Nui contains the main entrance, reception and the White Cedar Café.
On this floor you’ll find the the Children’s Clinics, Child Development Service, Child and Family Safety Service, Child Health Community Nurses, and Allied/ORA. The White Cedar Café
The café is open to everyone from 7am - 5pm Monday to Friday, and 9am - 5pm on weekends. Their menu changes daily with choices for everyone, including gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian. People are welcome to provide feedback using the QR code on the menu. Grab a White Cedar Café Coffee Card to get your 10th Havana coffee for free!
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Level 3 look out for our kaitiaki Kōwhai, who can help you find your way on this floor.
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| Children’s Day Stay This unit has 12 beds. We look after children who need tests, treatments and day stay operations. We are open from 7am Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
04 385 5999 ext 5041Kōwhai Ward (Surgical ward) We look after children who need surgery and surgical care. Kōwhai Ward has 17 beds for all surgical and surgical specialty patients up to the age of 16 who need to stay overnight or longer.
04 385 5999 ext 5518Children’s Cancer Service A three-bed day unit providing treatment and assessments for children undergoing cancer treatment.
04 385 5999 ext 5604 |
Level 4 look out for our kaitiaki Piko, who can help guide you around this floor.
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| Piko ward (Medical ward) Piko ward on level four will open in 2023 once building works are completed. You can find the Medical Children’s Ward and Wahi Tamariki (ED Paediatrics) on Ward two of the Clinical Services Block.
We look after children with medical conditions who need specialist medical care. Piko ward has 23 beds for all medical and medical speciality patients up to the age of 16.
04 385 5999 ext 5519Short Stay Unit This unit has nine beds for any child needing a short period of treatment or observation – up to 24 hours. This unit supports children who have been referred from our emergency department, and is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Phone TBC |
Te Wao Nui is located in the Mark Dunajtschik and Dorothy Spotswood Building on Riddiford Street in Newtown, next to the main Wellington Regional Hospital building. Parking is available behind this building. Access to the parking is through the main entrance and the exit is via hospital road.
Wellington Regional Hospital (WRH) atrium to Te Wao Nui
Te Wao Nui to WRH Radiology - t/c
WRH Radiology to Te Wao Nui - t/c
General enquiries: 04 385 5999
Patient enquiries: 04 385 5947 or 04 385 5949
Te Wao Nui
Riddiford Street
Newtown
Wellington 6021
Parents/ caregivers are welcome to visit at any time.
Other whānau/visitors are welcome (with parent/caregiver approval) between hours of 8am-8pm.
Children/young people under the age of 16 years of age must be supervised by an adult (over sixteen years of age) at all times.
Te Wao Nui has three floors - level 2 Tiaki and level 3 Kōwhai are open, with level 4 Piko planned to open in 2023 once building works are completed. Each floor has child-friendly way-finding signage, featuring our colourful kaitiaki whānau. There will also be maps available at reception.
You'll find the White Cedar Café on level 2. This café is open to everyone from 7am - 5pm Monday to Friday, and 9am - 5pm on weekends.
If you’re unsure where to go, please ask one of our volunteers at the desk in the main atrium or our friendly staff members. All staff wear identity cards and are happy to help you.