A new $110 million children's hospital in Wellington has been officially opened.
Te Wao Nui sits alongside Wellington Hospital and brings all child health services together under one roof. And it's all thanks to the generosity of the capital's 'fairy godparents'.
Te Wao Nui translates to the great forest of Tane, which is a great gift for treating children.
The hospital would have been years away had it not been for the generosity of Wellington's 'fairy godparents' Mark Dunajtschik and Dorothy Spotswood.
The millionaires giving $53 million to see it come to life.
"Basically, there's always people with a need for children's hospitals," said Spotswood.
Wellington Hospitals Foundation chair Bill Day was clearly emotional in his gratitude.
"Thank you for believing in the concept of a new children's hospital and thank you for making it happen."
Te Wao Nui has 50 inpatient beds, 101 outpatient beds and more space for families which Health Minister Andrew Little said will make a "huge difference".
"In terms of the quality of care and just an environment for children and their families and whanau to be. That'll help with recovery."
Dunajtschik was heavily involved in its design. He said some requests were practical, while others, like putting a roof over the car park were not.
"My idea was well to give them an umbrella," he joked.
The public gets a first look through the hospital on Saturday before it opens to patients on October 17.
