23 September 2026
Whānau Āwhina Plunket's new Papakura hub was blessed this morning in a dawn ceremony led by Ngāti Te Ata and Ngāti Tamaoho, marking a significant step up for Plunket's services in the area.
The building has been named 'Whare Kahikatea'. The kahikatea is Aotearoa New Zealand's tallest native timber tree, and its roots intertwine with those of neighbouring trees, creating strength and resilience through storms. It's a fitting representation of a place where tamariki can grow tall, strong, and thrive together on Wood Street.
The new space at 28B Wood St will offer clinic space for Well Child Tamariki Ora visits and B4 School Checks, room for community groups and services, and staff offices, all under one roof.
Whānau Āwhina Plunket CE Fiona Kingsford attended the blessing alongside staff from the wider Counties Manukau district.
"It's wonderful to see our Papakura whānau getting a space that really reflects the mahi our kaimahi do every day, somewhere light, welcoming, and big enough to bring our clinics, checks and community groups together under one roof, for a community that's only going to keep growing," says Carolyn Freestone, Clinical Leader, Plunket Papakura.
Until now, Papakura whānau have accessed Plunket services from a range of locations around town. The move to 28B Wood Street means these services can come together in a single, purpose-built space, making it easier for whānau to find and access the support they need. An exact start date for clinics operating from the new site is still being confirmed, with a short transition period planned so there's no gap in care for whānau while the move takes place.
The bigger premises come as Papakura keeps growing fast. Stats NZ estimates put the Papakura population at 84,200 in June 2025, up more than 25 percent since the 2018 Census and more than double its 1996 figure, with a young median age of 32.3 years. Stats NZ projects that growth to continue, reaching an estimated 89,100 by 2028 and 126,600 by 2053, so a larger, purpose-built home means Plunket can keep pace with one of the region's fastest-growing, youngest communities.
Image: Plunket kaimahi with mana whenua Ngāti Te Ata and Ngāti Tamaoho at the dawn blessing.
