Raising the bar for healthier hospitals

Innovative leadership in healthcare is about more than just world-class treatment - it’s about the environment in which that care happens. Nowhere is this more evident than at Forté Health in Christchurch, recognised as New Zealand’s first hospital to achieve carbon zero status. Their vision of putting patient and planet first is not just aspirational, but actioned in every detail of their state-of-the-art facility, including the choice of wall coatings.

At Natural Paint Co, we are proud to have played a part in Forté Health’s recent upgrades to their main entranceway, stairwell, and urology department. While our contribution might seem small next to operating theatres and advanced technology, the impact of what’s on the walls that surround people as they heal shouldn’t be underestimated.

Why paint matters in healthcare design

Healthcare environments are unique. Not only must they meet the highest standards of hygiene and durability, they must also actively support patient and staff wellbeing.

Studies have shown that indoor air quality, sensory comfort, and the nature of building materials meaningfully influence both patient recovery, and staff workplace satisfaction. The coatings used on walls literally surround every patient, visitor, and staff member, so choosing the right paint is a decision that affects every aspect of care.

Forté Health’s team understood this when specifying a coating for their latest refurbishment. As a hospital dedicated to providing world-class, patient-centered care built on sustainability, quality and innovation, their commitment required products that align with their values. By selecting Natural Paint Co, they made sure their walls would:

• Promote healthier air: Our paints are formulated entirely without harmful chemicals like dryers, APEOs, silica, and other known irritants. meaning fresher, healthier air for patients, staff, and visitors

• Enable quicker turnaround: Because our coatings are low-odour, newly painted spaces can be reopened and utilised far sooner, reducing disruption to vital hospital operations.

• Deliver lasting performance: Hospitals are high-traffic environments, and our New Zealand-made paints are engineered for exceptional durability, washability, and stain resistance, backed by rigorous independent testing.

• Lead with transparency: We believe in full ingredient disclosure -unmatched by any other New Zealand paint company - so healthcare providers can fully understand and trust what’s on the walls of their facility.

• Promote sustainability: Over 80% of every tin comes from renewable, mostly plant-based ingredients, and, like Forté Health, we’re a NZ-based business committed to minimising the environmental footprint of our products at every step.

• Support their carbon zero ambition: Working with a certified carbon zero hospital underscores our shared philosophy: every detail counts, from supply chain choices right down to the last coat of paint.

The Forté Health difference: A model for the sector

Forté Health exemplifies what’s possible when clinical excellence meets environmental stewardship. Not only is their facility modern and light-filled, but every aspect - from waste minimisation and energy efficiency to healthy interiors, is approached with the wellbeing of people and planet in mind.

Their patient feedback is a testament to the power of such an environment, with comments like a breath of fresh air, calm and healing, being frequent among patients and visitors. The hospital was designed to reduce anxiety, promote faster recovery, and reflect the care of the people who work there. Sustainable materials, including Natural Paint Co coatings, are part of a carefully curated approach to health.

Setting new benchmarks for healthcare in New Zealand

For other healthcare providers and decision-makers, Forté Health’s story offers more than inspiration - it provides a clear, practical example of how sustainable specification delivers better environments and better outcomes. The path to world-class healthcare is built detail by detail, decision by decision, product by product.

At Natural Paint Co, we are committed to being active partners in this journey. Whether you are fitting out a specialist clinic, upgrading a day surgery, or reimagining community care, we understand your need for quality, safety, compliance, and sustainability - and we can help you demonstrate your leadership to the people who matter most.

Contact our team today to discuss tailored solutions for your next healthcare project.