The burial of a time capsule outside the new East Wing Building at Taranaki Base Hospital marks one of the final acts in the completion of the six floor, 22,000 square metre acute services facility.
The stainless steel capsule contained current and former medical equipment donated by departments and the hospital’s historic society, a nurse’s uniform, photos of one of the first babies born in the wing’s maternity ward, and the last baby born in the old maternity ward, internal publications and posters, and a copy of the Daily News feature on the building’s opening.
Following the years of planning, dedication and hard work to open the East Wing Building, the capsule burial was a special moment for everyone who has been part of this journey, says Wendy Langlands, Health New Zealand’s Group Director of Operations in Taranaki.
“As we bury this time capsule, we’re doing more than marking the completion of a building,” says Langlands.
“We’re capturing a snapshot of who we are at this moment in time, our hopes, our challenges, our achievements, and the values that guide us. One day, when this capsule is opened, I hope people will see how deeply we cared about the wellbeing of our whanau and how we worked together to create a healthier future for Taranaki.”
Buried in the island garden outside the hospital wing’s main entrance, the capsule lies under a rock of local stone with a plaque denoting its location and an invitation to future generations to open the capsule in 50 years’ time.
