History
Hospices have been around since medieval times. They began as hostels set up to provide food and shelter for pilgrims on their way to the Holy Lands. These hostels, usually run by a Christian order, began also to look after the sick and dying. From these beginnings, the Hospice movement as we know it, developed. The first independent Hospice in New Zealand was developed in 1979.
Arohanui Hospice began with the Palmerston North Christian Home Trust in the mid seventies, and later developed into the Palmerston North Hospice Service Trust in 1985. Since 1995 the Arohanui Hospice Service Trust has assumed the overall responsibility, and now provides a specialist Palliative care service for the greater Manawatu region.
We have had many changes since opening our doors in 1991. Our present home at 1 Heretaunga Street has undergone many renovations, and further extensions have occurred to house a growing number of services and to ensure we have an appropriate facility to take us into the future.
Many people have helped along the way, including business people, church and community groups and health professionals. Our Trust Board is made up of twelve community representatives who provide governance for the service.
We continue to work closely with our community health care partners and acknowledge the special relationship and obligations we have to the Tangata whenua of our region.
