Stage Two of Whangārei Hospital’s $49.5 million redevelopment included a major extension of its 2015 Te Kotuku maternity unit. Two new storeys mean that this striking building now accommodates a neonatal unit, paediatric ward, and paediatric acute assessment unit as well as the original maternity facility, enabling Te Kotuku to provide inpatient care for tamariki from birth to 14 years, as well as comprehensive care for unwell or premature babies from across Northland.

“The new extension is the beginning of creating a parent, tamariki, and pēpi health hub, with the new Child Health Centre – Tira Ora being constructed adjacent to the Te Kotuku building, and expected to be completed in 2026,” said Alex Pimm, Group Director of Operations, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Te Tai Tokerau.

Te Kotuku now also houses a spacious world-class medical laboratory. “The new laboratory has been built to provide us with capacity now and for some time into the future in line with the Whangārei Hospital master plan,” said Mr Pimm.

The laboratory includes a molecular suite, which will enable NDHB scientists and technicians to work with microorganisms. It was built to IANZ compliance and Physical Containment (PC2) standards which address strict structural and procedural requirements for the safety and protection of laboratory workers and the wider community.

Interior Components was contracted to install the Jointmaster Seismic Joint System during construction of the extensions, and Inpro Wall Protection products in the fit-out stage.

Jointmaster Seismic Joint Systems for building integrity

The seismic expansion joints used throughout Te Kotuku are from the Inpro Jointmaster Series, an internationally proven jointing system that allows for multidirectional movement between different structural components while providing an impermeable seal.

An impermeable seal is vital in medical buildings where hygiene is of the utmost importance, and where separation between different wards and service areas must be maintained. Externally, Jointmaster also ensures weathertightness of external walls where different surfaces meet.

Seismic joints are usually associated to protection of buildings from the impacts of earthquakes, tremor and aftershocks but they also serve another, less glamorous purpose. Seismic jointing systems protect buildings by safely accommodating everyday temperature-related contraction and expansion of building materials, movement between adjoining structures, and settling of the building over time.

Meticulous installation means that Jointmaster Seismic Floor Joints, Ceiling Joints, Wall Joints, Soffit Joints, and Exterior Vertical Wall Joints certainly meet these purposes for Te Kotuku, and fit seamlessly into the building’s modern clean-cut design.

Inpro Wall Protection offers hygiene advantages

Inpro Wall Protection products have won an international reputation as long life, hardwearing products with hygienic antimicrobial surfaces that are resistant to fungus and bacteria.

Crash Rails and Hand Rails in durable, beautiful wood-finish

The Inpro IPC Woodlands Range was selected for installation throughout Te Kotuku. The handrails, crashrails, bed crash rails, and corner guards all work to ensure the fresh appearance of walls, and protect the structural integrity of wall surfaces against impact damage from trolleys, beds, and medical equipment. The attractive wood-finish handrails serve primarily as a mobility aide for those who need it, but along with the wood-finish crashrails, also work as a design element, defining spaces and guiding users through the building.

Interior Components Inpro Corner Guards for superior protection

Inpro Corner Guards are designed to be effectively ‘inner-sprung’ giving wall corners superior protection from impact damage and heavy wear and tear. Made from extruded vinyl the corner guards are hardwearing, low maintenance and easily cleaned.

Seismic Joints and Door & Wall Protection Products Provided for this construction project include:

• Jointmaster 300 Series Wall and Ceiling Joint
• Jointmaster 223 Series Floor Joints
• Jointmaster 651 Series Soffit Joint
• IPC 800 Woodlands Handrails
• IPC 1600i Woodlands Crashrails
• IPC 158BN Corner Guards.