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Just two weeks after the opening of the new Christchurch Hospital building, its Maori name has been announced.
The $ 525 million facility, which has been called Christchurch Hospital Hagley for more than a year, will be known as Waipapa, said Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) Chairman Sir John Hansen.
Runanga Ngāi Tūāhuriri Drpoko (lead) Dr. Te Maire Tau gifted the name to the CDHB in July, said Manawhenua Ki Waitaha President Michelle Turrall.
In a statement Monday, Hansen announced the new name, explaining that it means “surface water” and denotes the many springs in the area.
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Waipapa is also the Maori name for the area near or around Hagley Park.
STACY SQUIRES / Stuff
Waipapa will be the largest hospital building on the South Island and will house many of Canterbury DHB’s acute services.
The building will open to its first patients on November 16.
“I am sure you will appreciate that it will take some time to ensure that the new Waipapa name is adequately reflected on our signage, printed materials and online content,” said Hansen.
Construction of the hospital building was plagued with delays and was handed over to the CDHB in early August, more than two years later than expected.
Submissions for a media tour of the facility on August 10 referred to the building as Christchurch Hagley Hospital, without mentioning a Maori talent name.
Hansen confirmed that although the discussions began in July, the board only approved the name in late October.
