Hugo Charitable Trust Launches Phase One of Tōtara Hospice’s Foundations Programme with $400,000 Donation
Tōtara Hospice is proud to announce a transformative $400,000 donation from the Hugo Charitable Trust, marking the beginning of its Securing Our Foundations Programme, a major redevelopment initiative designed to shape the future of hospice care for South and Southeast Auckland.
This inaugural investment allows major renovations on the first two components of the programme: the Hugo Living Well Suite and the Hugo Community Learning Centre. These bespoke spaces are part of a broader, multi-year programme of work to upgrade and modernise the Tōtara Hospice facility.
Demand for hospice services in South and Southeast Auckland is rapidly rising. Tōtara’s services provided over 34,000 episodes of care last year, compared to over 12,000 in 2016. National research by Professor Heather McLeod forecasts that the need for specialist hospice care will double by 2040.
CEO of Tōtara Hospice, Tina McCafferty, says, “the donation could not have come at a better time, as we evolve our services to meet the changing needs of our community. In a resource constrained environment, the shortfall from government funding results in Tōtara needing to raise over $4 million per year from community generosity to deliver services at current levels. This donation allows us to take a major first step towards ensuring we remain fit for purpose and can meet the needs of our diverse and rapidly growing community. It enables us to continue providing facilities and services that support people to live well and die well, with dignity, choice and connection.”
Aoibheann Monaghan of the Hugo Charitable Trust says, “We are proud to help make this first step a reality, enabling work that supports families, grows knowledge and builds a more compassionate community. Tōtara’s focus on decreasing stigma and helping people to live well despite terminal illness, aligns with Hugo’s purpose, particularly across communities that experience hardship. It is especially meaningful for us to continue the relationship with the Hospice, as Hugh Green was a supporter in years gone by.”
The Hugo Living Well Suite repurposes an existing wing to create a warm, community-focused environment, offering counselling, outpatient clinics, tele-health services, a palliative rehabilitation gym, and group programmes. The Hugo Community Learning Centre will redevelop existing education rooms into a modern, flexible space for professional training, community learning, and cross-cultural connections.
McCafferty says, “Through their donation ‘Hugo’ have shown tangible, support for our vision to ‘make the world a better place for dying people,’ we look forward to an enduring partnership.”
Media Contact
Name: Jo Chiplin – Tōtara Hospice, Director of Clinical Services
Email: jo.chiplin@hospice.co.nz
Phone: 027 275 4652
Name: Aoibheann Monaghan – Hugo Charitable Trust CEO
Email: aveen@hugocharitabletrust.nz
Phone: 027 767 8877
Additional Information
Opening of the Hugo Living Well Suite and the Hugo Community Learning Centre
The Hugo Living Well Suite and the Hugo Community Learning Centre will be formally opened on Friday March 6 at 2pm at the Tōtara Hospice Hub. Media who wish to attend can contact Jo Chiplin (details above).
The Securing our Foundations Programme is a multi-year project; future phases will include an upgrade to the inpatient unit, community services base, a more accessible entrance and reception, and the development of a commercial hub.
About The Hugo Charitable Trust
The Hugo Charitable Trust is a New Zealand-based charitable trust established in 2017 by Maryanne Green. The Trust was created to carry on the philanthropic legacy of her late father Hugh Green, who had a lifelong commitment to helping those less fortunate, especially in social and medical areas. Since 2017 the trust has donated over $23 million to worthy causes across NZ.
Hugo provides funding for various causes in New Zealand, including medical research, poverty relief, health and disabilities, education, community welfare, and environmental protection. It was founded on Hugh Green’s goal of helping the poor in social and medical areas, aiming to honour his legacy while adding new ideas for the benefit of New Zealanders.
https://www.hugocharitabletrust.nz/
About Tōtara Hospice
At Tōtara Hospice we exist to Make the World a Better Place for Dying People©. Tōtara Hospice provides adult specialist palliative care services to the communities of South and Southeast Auckland, proudly supporting the diverse backgrounds, lifestyles, and beliefs of our patient communities while also supporting their loved ones. Our multidisciplinary team works closely with GPs, hospital teams, and community services to deliver expert-led, holistic support for both patients and their whānau, ensuring comfort and dignity throughout their journey. Our services are provided at no direct cost to our patients and whānau.
