The New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) Christchurch Blood Centre, Te Whare Whakapapa, at 15 Lester Lane was officially opened last month by Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman, Minister of Health.
The donor centre was blessed by Rakihia Tau Jnr in October. As part of the blessing, a significant piece of pounamu, named Te Ratonga Toto o Aotearoa, gifted from Ngāti Waewae Rūnanga on the West Coast was unveiled and sits proudly in the foyer.
The new state-of-the-art Christchurch Blood Centre with its advanced technology was purpose-built for NZBS by Ngāi Tahu Property. The centre is a significant addition to Ngāi Tahu Property’s commercial portfolio, which ultimately contributes to tribal return.
Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman and NZBS Chief Executive Officer, Fiona Ritsma admire the pounamu koha from Ngāti Waewae Rūnanga. (Photo courtesy of Denada Creative).
The crowd during the opening of the Christchurch Blood Centre. (Photo courtesy of Denada Creative).