Wellington property developer and philanthropist, Mark Dunajtschik, has pledged up to $50 million for a new mental health unit at Hutt Hospital.
The Government has committed to replacing Te Whare Ahuru – the hospital’s 24-bed acute mental health unit – with a modern facility of the same size, but Health Minister Andrew Little says the donation will allow for a 34-bed unit.
“We can all be incredibly grateful for the extraordinary philanthropy of Mr Dunajtschik, who made New Zealand his home many years ago, has succeeded in business, and now wishes to give back to this country,” the Minister said.
“I am glad to have had the opportunity to personally thank him for this donation and for the $50 million he has already donated towards a new children’s hospital for Wellington.
“This latest contribution will benefit not only the Wellington region, but will also have knock-on benefits for the rest of the country because the Government funding that was intended for the Hutt Valley unit can go into other projects.”
Mr Little said planning for the new Hutt Valley unit, to be called the Mark Dunajtschik Mental Health Centre, is well advanced.
The project is being managed by Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand.
