About Omahanui Whanganui
Omahanui is a special place for very special people. It is a place that people can call home. The translated meaning of "Omahanui" is "A place of peace."
Many people come here to start a new chapter in their lives, where they will receive support, care, attention and understanding in an environment where health care and quality of life is of paramount importance.
Omahanui provides specialised facilities dedicated to supporting disabled people of all ages in a home environment. We are not a hospital. Generally our clients are not sick but require special care because of a disability from a TBI. The quality of life for those who come to live at Omahanui is something of which we are justly proud. The unique service we offer and the environment in which it is provided, we are sure, will assist you in any decision you need to make.
Our Residents do not live in our Workplace - We work in their Home
How and why we started
Omahanui Special Care Unit was established because of a need recognised by Pat Wesley, a registered nurse from New Plymouth. Her vision was for a suitable environment to support people of all ages in their day to day living and rehabilitation after suffering a life changing accident. At that time the most likely option was for people with disabilities to be admitted to long-stay geriatric care. Pat saw this as unsuitable and inappropriate.
In 1999 a very determined Pat founded a facility in New Plymouth suitable of caring for such people. She still is actively involved in its operation.
In 2006 Pat’s son Todd, responded to a need for a similar service in Whanganui and a facility at 140 Great North Road was opened. It is privately owned by Todd and his wife Rowena. While a distant relationship still exists between both facilities Whanganui now operates autonomously. In Whanganui we specialise in assisting people that have suffered from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in their daily lives and their recovery and rehabilitation process.