New Dunedin Hospital

Project Whakatuputupu, the New Dunedin Hospital, is led by Te Whatu Ora and includes key stakeholders involved in the planning, design and construction. Aukaha has provided the project with a cultural narrative, Whakatuputupu, that helps inform and guide the design aesthetic, environmental performance and user functionality of our new hospital in Ōtepoti.

Watch: Kia ora koutou from Mana Whenua (external link)

The New Dunedin Hospital will be similar in size to the current hospital, however its state of the art design and use of latest technology will mean greater efficiency, including patient flow around the hospital, and better access to diagnostics and treatment spaces, reducing unnecessary delays.  

Dunedin’s economy will receive a massive boost as a result of this new hospital project, contributing an estimated $429 million GDP. The build will employ thousands of construction workers over the lifetime of the project.

Design for the new hospital will incorporate technology and processes to improve efficiency, enhance patient and staff experience, increase pandemic readiness and benefit generations of people across the Southern region.

The new hospital will include 351 beds on opening with the capacity to expand to 404 beds over time, 20 short-stay surgical beds and 58 ED spaces, including a short-stay unit and specilalised emergency psychiatric care.

There will be 22 theatres (with capacity to expand to 24)

Contemporary design principles have been used so that the theatres can be used in a more efficient way. There are four times as many procedure rooms in the new building design for minor surgery as well as larger day surgery theatres for more complex day surgery cases. 

Opening late 2026

The first stage focuses on the Outpatient Building, which includes:

• Outpatient services
• Clinic rooms
• Day Procedures Unit
• Planned radiology

The building will include:

• 10,000m2 clinical space
• Multi-disciplinary outpatient clinics
• Radiology including MRI and CT Services
• Integrated digital systems
• 5-Star Greenstar design rating
• Public areas with food and retail
• Patient drop-Off
• Inclusive and accessible for all

Opening 2031

In the second stage, the construction of the Inpatient Building includes:

• Expanded Emergency Department
• Operating Theatre Suite and short stay surgical unit
• ICU and High Dependency beds
• Inpatient wards

OIA responses relating to the construction of the New Dunedin Hospital.

 OIA responses related to the New Dunedin Hospital (external link)

Health New Zealand is responsible for delivering the new hospital. Project Whakatuputupu, the New Dunedin Hospital, is overseen by a Project Steering Group and a Clinical Transformation Group. Otago’s University, Polytechnic, Workforce Central Dunedin and a local Advisory Group are also involved.

Workforce Central Dunedin is a Jobs and Skills Hub that helps provide the necessary construction skills and labour to build the New Dunedin Hospital.

Doctors, nurses, midwives, allied health staff, technicians, orderlies and clinical administrators are all involved in group sessions led by health planners to design the new hospital.

These discussions help refine how the New Dunedin Hospital can realise the most benefit for staff and patients. Models of care change rapidly within health and bringing together the design team and clinical staff helps shine the light on potential developments or shifts in patient care as the design process continues.

For any enquiries or feedback relating to the New Dunedin Hospital Project you can contact us by email: ndh@southerndhb.govt.nz

If you have a procurement query, contact: NDHProcurement@health.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact us at hnzmedia@tewhatuora.govt.nz