The funds will facilitate the construction of the Dorothy Spotswood Charity Hospital
Russell McVeagh has provided pro bono legal aid to the Wellington Regional Charity Hospital Trust, helping it to secure full funding for the build fit-out of a new hospital facility.
Philanthropists Sir Mark Dunajtschik and Dorothy Spotswood committed to investing in the facility, which will be christened the Dorothy Spotswood Charity Hospital. The facility will offer free surgical day services to residents of Wellington, Kāpiti and Wairarapa; it will also provide no-cost specialist services to Wellington residents who cannot afford private care or health insurance and are unable to receive care from existing public health institutions, Russell McVeagh said in a LinkedIn post.
The facility’s model is inspired by charity hospitals in Canterbury and Southland. Christchurch charity hospital founder Phil Bagshaw provided guidance to the Wellington Regional Charity Trust.
Russell McVeagh said in its post that the funding boost comes after “four years of perseverance and planning”. Partner Tim Clarke, who sits on the Trust board, worked with partner Doran Wyatt and special counsel Gareth Worthington on the hospital development project. They collaborated with the board and a group of Trust advisers.
The firm confirmed that the funding does not extend to medical equipment.
Dunajtschik and Spotswood both received the New Zealand Legacy Award at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards 2025.
