Our Christchurch House

Ronald McDonald House Christchurch

Ronald McDonald House Christchurch provides a ‘home-away-from-home’ for families who must travel to Christchurch for their child’s medical treatment.
Staying at the Christchurch Ronald McDonald House 
Families come to Ronald McDonald House Christchurch from across New Zealand.

Our 26-bedroom House is a ‘home-away-from-home’ for families to retreat to after a long day on the ward. We’ve created an environment that is truly welcoming and provides respite from the hospital. Warm rooms, fully stocked kitchens and areas to be a family make our facilities feel just like home.

Our Family Dinner Programme has groups cooking dinner almost every night of the week, ensuring families get a good home-cooked meal at the end of each day. We also have fully stocked kitchens should families want to cook their own meals.

Ronald McDonald House is based a few minutes’ walk from Christchurch Hospital. Our staff are here to assist you throughout your stay, they’ll help you to find your way around, explain how the House works and put you in touch with the appropriate support networks if required.
FAQs at Ronald McDonald House Christchurch
Who can stay?

Ronald McDonald House in Christchurch provides support to families of patients up to and including the age of 18 seeking medical treatment at any Christchurch Hospital.

Any family who lives 100 kms away and needs to travel so their child can receive treatment in Christchurch is eligible to stay.

This can include, but is not limited to:

  • Families of babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
  • Pregnant women, and their families, experiencing high-risk pregnancies
  • Families of children receiving mental health treatment
  • Families of children receiving oncology (cancer) treatment
  • Families of children with serious injuries
  • Families of children undergoing surgery
How do we book in?
  • To ensure you’re eligible for travel and accommodation financial support, you must be registered with the Ministry of Health. 
  • You need your registration number before leaving or your travel and accommodation will not be funded – if it hasn’t arrived before you leave home, please contact your local district health board. 
  • If there is time, please call us on 03 377 3311 to confirm your booking 24 hours before you are due to arrive.
Are we allowed visitors?
  • We will be restricting access to the Houses to resident families only; no visitors (by arrangement on a case-by-case basis). Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate visitors for family dinner nights as this makes it difficult for our volunteers to cater accurately. 
What are the House amenities?

Ronald McDonald House Christchurch provides families with:

  • Fully equipped communal kitchens with pantry, refrigerator and freezer food items
  • Ensuite bedrooms
  • Bed and bath linen
  • Laundry facilities
  • Wi-Fi
  • Quite Adult’s Lounge
  • Teenager’s Activity Room
  • Children’s Art Room
  • Co-working space
  • Car parking
  • Disability access
  • Indoor and outdoor play areas
  • Prams, port-a-cots, bassinets , children’s car seats
How can we keep in touch with friends and family?

Every room in the House has a phone. Your friends and family can call you directly on this. Your phone extension will be given to you on arrival.

Please ask your family and friends to send mail for your attention to:

c/- Ronald McDonald House Christchurch
33 Cashel Street
Christchurch, 8013

What do I need to bring?

You will only need to bring your personal items such as toiletries, clothing, communication devices etc.

Our Family Dinner Programme runs most evenings with members of the community preparing a meal and dessert for families staying at the Christchurch House. We have fully stocked freezers and pantries which you are welcome to.

For any additional food requirements, there is a New World Supermarket at South City Mall on Colombo Street, just a 2-minute drive away, or Fresh Choice on Lichfield Street, a 9-minute walk from the Christchurch House.

Is there disability access?
Yes, shared areas in the House are fully accessible. A number of bedrooms are also fully accessible at the House, including purpose designed wet floor showers. Please inform us at the time of your booking if you require an accessible bedroom.

Ready, Set, Cook!

Join our Family Dinner Programme

Find Out More
Contact Us
Ronald McDonald House provides accommodation for families who must travel to Christchurch and Invercargill for their child’s medical treatment.

Reception Opening Hours
9am – 5pm
Physical Address
Ronald McDonald House 
33 Cashel St
Christchurch, 8013
Postal Address
Ronald McDonald House
PO Box 1463
Christchurch, 8140
Phone
03 377 3311
Do you have childcare facilities?

We welcome families bringing siblings and grandparents (approved by NTA) to stay at the House where possible, but we do not provide childcare services. Children under the age of 18 cannot stay in the House unattended. 

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