Kaumatua Tom Roa blessed the opening of Hospice Waikato’s new retail store in Te Awamutu so that those at the end of their life could also be blessed.
Hospice Waikato Te Awamutu Shop Opening
Roa, an ahonuku/associate professor in the University of Waikato’s Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies – and columnist in The News – was joined at Monday’s opening by Hospice Waikato’s acting chief executive Susan Hassall, regional retail manager Tersa Bidlake, and invited guests at the old ITM building on the corner of Te Rahu and Cambridge roads in Te Awamutu.
Hassall revelled in the opportunity for members of the Hospice Waikato board, staff, volunteers, and wider members of the community to celebrate the blessing of the new store and share in morning tea.
“It’s very special to be able to break bread together and share a cup of tea,” she said.
Hospice Waikato Te Awamutu Shop Opening
When the opportunity came up to move to the new 580 square metres store from the old 300 square metre store in George Street came up a decision needed to be made, Bidlake said.
“Do we go big or go home? We decided to go big.”
Last year Hospice Waikato’s retail stores raised $5 million to help those in end-of-life care.
“With this shop it’s going to be $6 million,” she predicted.
Hospice Waikato opened a shop in Sloane Street, Te Awamutu in 1995. The shop moved to 170 George Street in 2009 and to its previous location at 104 George Street opposite The Warehouse in 2015.
Tom Roa, left, with Hospice Waikato acting chief executive Susan Hassall, and regional retail manager Terese Bidlake at the opening of the new store.
