We are proud to announce that the Kidz First Tau Mauri Multisensory Room, designed to provide a calming and relaxing environment for tamaariki, whaanau and staff, was officially opened and blessed on 11 September.
This special room embraces the work that Kidz First does towards the Autism/Takiwaatanga Friendly Hospital project and celebrates neurodiversity, Te Ao Maaori and our history.
It is the result of a year-long collaboration between the Play Specialist team, Mana Whenua and Te Kaahui Ora.
“Kids love to play and explore and this room can help distract them from the stress of being in hospital especially those with neurodiversity and autism. It also helps us to explore children’s holistic, developmental, and sensory needs,” says Gina Bentley, Play Specialist.
The name Tau Mauri was kindly gifted by Turongo Paki, Cultural Advisor for Maaori Health, and means calmness.
The room was opened and blessed by Robert Clark, our Mana Whenua representative. He shared a story of Taikehu’s Garden and the Puriri tree, which has now become the foundation of the room’s design.
Ana tells us that the Puriri tree is a key feature of the room representing a place for all to gather.
This beautiful story threads through features in the room and celebrates our past for our future to enjoy.
