The Whangarei Hospital redevelopment, Project Pihi Kaha, will be delivered over two stages on the current Whangarei Hospital site. Stage One of the redevelopment will include:
- Acute Services Building - Pūkauakaua, including an emergency department, intensive care unit, operating theatres and a rooftop helipad
- Child Health Centre – Tira Ora, including clinic areas, support spaces, and a link bridge to Te Kotuku maternity building, and
- Whānau House – Te Whāea o te Iwi, with 5 rooms to accommodate up to 20 people, communal living spaces, and Kaitiaki space.
Stage Two will include a 158-bed ward tower, and an acute assessment unit.
Key Dates
| Nov 2022 | Project Announcement |
| May 2024 | RFT Open: Child Health Centre |
| 2026 | Expected Construction Commencement |
| Sep 2031 | Expected Construction Completion |
Funding contributions
| NZ Government | |
|
The 2026 New Zealand Budget included funding held in a tagged contingency to deliver a 158-bed ward tower (Stage Two of the project) adjoining the acute services building. |
|
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora |
| Related contracts: |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Nov 2022 | The New Zealand Government announced the redevelopment of Whangarei Hospital was split between two stages. Stage One was allocated $759 million in funding, while Stage Two remained unconfirmed. |
| Dec 2023 | Rider Levett Bucknall Auckland Ltd is awarded the contract for Cost Consultancy Services for Project Pukauakaua. Turner & Townsend are awarded the Project Management Services for the whole of Stage 1 - Project Pihi Kaha. |
| May 2024 | Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora opened the Request for Tender process for a main contractor for construction of Project Tira Ora - Child Health Centre, closing 26 June. This marked the commencement of procurement for the broader hospital redevelopment. |
| Dec 2024 | The NZ Government awarded Hawkins NZ the contract to deliver the project. |
| Nov 2025 | Construction commenced on Car Park works as part of Stage One of the project. |
| May 2026 | The 2026 New Zealand Budget included funding held in a tagged contingency to deliver Stage Two of the project, the 158-bed war tower. |
| Sep 2026 | The New Zealand Government announced that early works have now commenced on the new acute services building and bed ward tower. Additionally, the Child Health Centre and carpark are completed and have now opened. |
Estimated Total Cost
(2022)
Sector
Social
Procurement approach
Traditional Procurement |
Location
New Zealand |
Resources
Media releases
2022/11/242025/11/14 - Car park construction commencement
2026/09/11 - Child Health Centre open
2026/09/11 - Early Works Commenced
