Mātai welcome mat to be rolled out for grand opening

Vibrant pop art by Maryam Tayebi showcases the brain’s complexity — a captivating addition to Mātai’s mahi toi and art exhibition. This piece will be unveiled at the Mātai opening, along with works by local artists.

Mātai Medical Research Institute opens its new purpose-built  facility on the former St Mary’s School site in Childers Road on Friday.

Everyone is welcome to join the opening celebration, meet the Mātai team and take a tour of the facility.

The opening will feature an art exhibition by students from Gisborne Girls’ High School, Gisborne Boys’ High and Gisborne Intermediate, Mātai said in a release.

This is the first stage of a campus that will house a state-of-the art imaging facility, medical research and student spaces, with future housing and cafe facilities, an educational science centre, community outreach centres and on-site accommodation.

The collaborative campus will be dedicated to advancing New Zealand’s medical and health infrastructure, socioeconomic landscape, and cultural aspirations through state-of-the-art medical imaging, transdisciplinary research, education and innovation.

The initial facility has been funded by the Lottery Significant Projects Fund, Kānoa’s Regional Strategic Partnership Fund, the Mangatawa Beale Williams Memorial Trust, the JN and HB Williams Foundation, the Quest Trust and the Hugh Green Foundation.

Those attending are asked to assemble at the Mātai entrance at 10am. A pōwhiri will follow at 10.30am, followed by lunch at noon, speeches at 1pm and presentations, a facility tour, an art exhibition and meeting the Mātai team from 2pm to 3pm.