Whangārei Hospital opens new child health centre and begins redevelopment

Whangārei Hospital has reached significant milestones in its ongoing redevelopment, marked by the opening of a new $35 million Child Health Centre and the commencement of work on an acute services building and ward tower.

The new Child Health Centre provides outpatient and community services for children and young people up to age 21. Facilities include paediatric medical services, community nursing, allergy clinics, and specialist visiting clinics. The centre is designed with family-oriented features such as therapy and play spaces, a playground, and landscaped areas. Additionally, an $18.5 million carpark extension adding 573 spaces has been completed.

Construction has also officially begun on a new acute services building and a 158-bed ward tower. The acute services building will feature an expanded emergency department, 10 operating theatres, and modern intensive care facilities. The ward tower will provide a net increase of 53 beds for the campus. Health Minister Simeon Brown stated that the redevelopment is one of the most significant health infrastructure investments in Northland’s history, expected to contribute approximately $233 million to the region's GDP.