Te Pureoranga Waikato Regional Renal Centre

Waiora Waikato Hospital’s new Te Pureoranga Waikato Regional Renal Centre has been thoughtfully designed to offer patients needing kidney dialysis a culturally appropriate and supportive treatment environment, for both them and whānau members.

The 3,200 square metre, $40million two-storey facility houses 56 state-of-the-art treatment spaces for kidney dialysis treatment, with associated consultation rooms, whanau space, meeting rooms, clinical offices, and green spaces.

The centre, which caters for a large population of Māori patients, has been designed in partnership with Ta Haa, Waikato Hospital’s cultural advisors. Chow:Hill Principal and Registered Architect, Arthur Joe, worked closely with Ta Haa from concept through to detailed design to enhance patient experience of the facility and provide the full spectrum of wrap around care.

This has resulted in more accessible arrival and drop off zones, more appropriate waiting spaces, comfortable treatment spaces where appropriate, and a layout that respects Māori protocols, beliefs, and traditions.

The name, Te Pureoranga, gifted by Te Haa o te Whenua o Kirikiriroa, describes the process and outcome of renal services with the aspiration that their sacred rite to purification and the restoration of their wellbeing would be achieved in both physical and spiritual realms.

Engaging cultural expertise

A key aspect of the design process was Chow:Hill’s working partnership with an appointed Māori artist, who helped to develop key features of the building including the front façade, entry canopy, foyer, and reception.

“This early engagement meant Māori culture and beliefs have been infused into the design rather than applied at the end of the project, resulting in a much more integrated and seamless experience for the buildings occupants,” explains Arthur.

The high-tech treatment centre, which has over 100 staff working onsite and further space to grow, also has sustainable design principles at its core, with environmentally friendly materials featured in both the interior and exterior of the design. Additional sustainable aspects include the optimisation of building orientation to maximise solar gain, double glazing for better acoustic and thermal insulation, the harvesting of gray water for toilet flushing, use of water-saving tapware, warm roof construction to improve thermal efficiency, and exterior shading devices to minimise morning and late afternoon glare.

Opened in January 2025, the Waikato Regional Renal Centre has brought all outpatient services into one dedicated space, enhancing patient experience and care.

Read the Waikato Times article

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