NZ InfraWatch
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HEALTH
New Dunedin Hospital
Health New Zealand / Te Whatu Ora · Otago
New tertiary hospital for the southern region, built in stages at the former Cadbury factory site. Outpatients building targeted to open 2026; inpatients building 2029 (reported ~18-month delay). Cost per m² has roughly tripled since the 2017 business case; the Government reviewed downgrade options amid budget pressure before committing to the inpatients build. Approved budget ~$2.05b, under strain against the appropriation.
A
Breakdown▾
85% · Very likely to proceed
Completion Probability — likelihood this proceeds on roughly its stated timeline.
Each axis is a scoring factor (0–100%)
Key facts
- Region
- Otago
- Sector
- Health
- Status
- Under Construction
- Estimated value
- $3b
- Indicative completion
- 2029
- Funding status
- Fully Funded
- Lead organisation
- Health New Zealand / Te Whatu Ora
- Election risk
- Medium
Election risk assessment
Replacement hospital under construction but with major cost overruns and design controversies. A government change may alter scope but would not cancel a partly-built hospital.
Government priority alignment
MEDIUM — Health-delivery priority, but cost overruns have drawn value-for-money scrutiny.
Chronology
- 2017Business case approved for a new Dunedin hospital
- 2024Government signals downgrade amid cost blowouts; public backlash
- 2025Commitment confirmed to build the inpatients block at the Cadbury site
- 2026Outpatients building targeted to open
- 2029Inpatients building targeted (≈18-month delay reported)