Brand new Kiwi Kitchen for Brightwater Home

Brightwater Home resident Mary Farrell and MP Tangi Utikere cut the ribbon.


Ribbon cutting, cake cutting and a visit from a local MP added pizzazz to the recent launch of the new kitchen in Brightwater Home’s light and airy dementia wing.

Shades of turquoise, yellow and accents of hot pink make for contemporary, inviting décor.

Christened the Kiwi Kitchen, the space comprises cooking facilities, a large dining room and a sunroom with a garden view.

The area is flexible as the new storage joinery provides a separation between the dining space and lounge which allows residents to have three usable areas for dining, recreation activities, relaxing and helping in the kitchen with home staff, says Brightwater Home manager Christine Tester.

“The refurbishment will give the dementia wing residents a useable space where they have the comforts of home and can move around easily to use the kitchen, with the addition of the custom-made Bain Marie that residents can serve themselves from.”

The launch celebration began when Labour MP Tangi Utikere and resident Mary Farrell, 90, cut the ribbon. Resident Jane Theobald of Ngāti Ranginui descent said a karakia to bless the proceedings.

Refreshments were served in the form of high tea which featured specially iced pink flamingo cupcakes, tasty cakes and savouries made by food services team leader Dinesh Kangaraj and kitchen staff member Lien Pedersen.

The celebration was organised by Brightwater Home’s recreation officer Rose Fowler. Enrolled nurse Jenny Lopes and Rose made a chocolate layer cake shaped like a teapot with matching cups and saucers.

“It’s not a celebration without a cake!” says Rose.


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