Te Kōhatu o te Rangimārie

A Stone of Peace, a Place of Belonging

At the heart of Dunstan Hospital now rests a taonga of deep meaning – a piece of pounamu, gifted with love, carried by history, and finally settled into a place where its mana can be felt by all who pass.

Pounamu is more than stone. It is a taonga tuku iho – a treasure passed from one generation to the next. For Māori, pounamu is known to hold wairua, drawing calm, grounding the spirit, and offering protection. It is often touched, rubbed gently, and held close, allowing its mauri – its life force – to steady those who need it most.

When Francie Diver first came into our whānau, she knew immediately that this stone was meant to be shared. It was not something to be kept hidden or owned, but something to be gifted – he koha – for the wellbeing of others. A stone for peace. A stone for comfort. A stone that people could reach out to in moments of worry, grief, reflection, or hope.

from left to right: Louise McKenzie, Colin Verry and Francie Diver

A Life Remembered

This particular piece of pounamu carries a powerful backstory.

Years ago, it was uncovered and shaped by a young local person, developing their skills working with precious stones. There was promise, care, and pride in their work. Tragically, that young life was lost far too soon during a football game. After their passing, the stone remained untouched, resting quietly for many years – waiting.

Waiting for the right place.
Waiting for the right purpose.
Waiting to be held again.

That wait has now ended. The pounamu has found its rightful home – i roto i ō mātou ringa, in our care – where it can honour that young life by continuing to give.

A Stand Made With Aroha

To hold something so special, the pounamu needed a base that carried its own story.

The stand it rests upon is crafted from repurposed rimu, reclaimed from an old piece of Dunstan Hospital furniture that had long been collecting dust. Rather than being discarded, it has been transformed with intention and respect.

This transformation was gifted by Colin, a valued member of the Dunstan Hospital whānau for the past six years. Colin works quietly behind the scenes as part of the maintenance team – fixing, repairing, and keeping the hospital running day in and day out. A fitter and turner by trade, Colin challenged himself to work with raw timber, giving more than 20 hours of his own time, purely out of goodwill and a desire to give back to the community.

Colin is also actively involved in the Men’s Shed, supporting other local people, to build skills, confidence, and connection. The stand is a reflection of who he is – steady, skilled, generous, and deeply community‑minded.

Together, the pounamu and the stand form something more than the sum of their parts. They speak of care, continuity, and collective contribution.

A Place of Mana

The placement of the pounamu at Dunstan Hospital was marked quietly but meaningfully, with Franci Driver and Louise McKenzie present as it was set into its new home. It now stands as a living symbol of rangimārie (peace), aroha (love), and whakawhanaungatanga (connection).

We invite all who visit Dunstan Hospital – patients, whānau, staff, and community – to pause for a moment. To touch the stone. To breathe. To feel grounded.

May this pounamu continue to draw peace. May it honour the life it carries. May it strengthen the mana of this place.

He taonga tuku iho, he koha mō te katoa.
A treasured gift, for everyone.