New Plunket centre set to rise

Plunket Lakes area president Emma Hardie in front of the present Plunket rooms, which may be knocked down to make way for a new facility. Photo / Stephen Parker

Plunket has unveiled plans for a new Rotorua centre that could include a drop-in facility for parents needing extra support.

The concept is similar to the family centres run in larger cities and will provide an extra level of support for Rotorua parents.

Fundraising is under way to replace the dated and cramped Plunket rooms on Pukuatua St. The existing building is likely to be knocked down or sold and moved off site, with a new centre built from scratch.

Lakes area president Emma Hardie said the organisation had outgrown its present space and wanted to create a new facility which would cater for its current groups as well as everything families needed from conception to pre-schoolers.

It could also include having budgeting and legal advice services on site at certain times.

Ms Hardie said Plunket was still working out the feasibility of providing a day drop-in service or a similar service in family homes to help new parents but it was something it was very interested in offering. It would provide extra support to new parents who needed help with problems like settling and feeding and routine.

Ms Hardie said she believed it would make a "massive difference" to new parents as there was nothing similar here.

"Having that extra little bit of support and knowing someone is there if you need it is huge."

Ms Hardie said the local organisation was still looking at what other services could be offered from the redeveloped centre - but hoped to get midwives on board as well as breastfeeding support services, parenting education, playgroups and antenatal clinics.

"We want it to be a community space, not just for Plunket."

She said the organisation wanted to hear from people who might be able to offer services or help in the redevelopment.

While the project was at an early stage, draft plans have put the price tag at about $750,000. Extra funding would be needed for additional staffing if the day drop-in facility went ahead.

Ms Hardie said the committee had begun fundraising for the new centre and hoped work would start next year.