Building for better: All proceeds from Rolleston home sale go to Māia Health Foundation
by Metropol | February 13, 2026 11:40 am
A newly built home in Rolleston is being sold with all proceeds going to Māia Health Foundation’s fundraising for the redevelopment of Christchurch Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
The architecturally designed Arbor Green three-bedroom property was built by Hughes Developments, which has committed 100 percent of the sale price to Māia to support improvements to the region’s specialist neonatal facility.
For Hughes Developments director Jake Hughes, the decision reflects long‑standing support for Māia and personal experience of NICU. “Two of my three children spent time in NICU, including my youngest who was there for quite a while,” he says. “When you’ve been through that environment, you see how critical it is, not just the medical care, but the space, the support for families, and the pressure staff are under.” Māia’s focus on funding tangible improvements made the house sale a practical way to contribute. The property will be sold by auction Thursday, 5 March 2026.
“This isn’t about us or the house. It’s about backing something that’s needed and will make a real difference for families going through a really tough time.”
Designed for 44 cots in 2005, NICU operates over capacity most of the time, which can, at times, put pressure on families and staff. With Government funding secured for the redevelopment, Māia is committing $2.1 million to help transform NICU from good to great. The redevelopment will add 10 new cots, create space for families to stay close and support staff to deliver the best possible care.
Māia Health Foundation Chief Executive Michael Flatman said the house sale was an example of community‑led support helping lift hospital environments beyond core clinical funding. “The NICU redevelopment is about creating a space that better supports babies, parents and whānau during some of the most stressful days of their lives,” Flatman said.
“That includes better family spaces, more comfort and privacy, and equipment that helps both families and clinicians.” Contributions like the Arbor Green house sale played an important role in enabling those enhancements. “This generosity means we can focus on the things that make the NICU experience better, from refurbished parent lounges and overnight rooms to equipment and spaces that support better care and connection.”
The NICU at Christchurch Hospital serves families from across Canterbury, the West Coast and the wider South Island. Māia’s contribution will enhance the experience for families and staff as part of the unit’s redevelopment which will begin in July this year. The Arbor Green home has been built to a high specification and will be sold on the open market. Hughes hopes knowing the impact of the sale would resonate with potential buyers.
“If you were choosing between homes and knew one was directly supporting NICU, I think that would mean something to people.”
Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/building-for-better-all-proceeds-from-rolleston-home-sale-go-to-maia-health-foundation/