Govt Forms Southern Engagement Group to Guide Dunedin Hospital Build

The newly formed Southern Engagement Group will serve as a dedicated forum for information-sharing and community dialogue throughout the hospital’s construction phase.

In a renewed push to ensure transparency, collaboration, and community trust, the Government has announced the establishment of a new Southern Engagement Group to support the next phase of the New Dunedin Hospital project. The announcement comes as construction resumes on the landmark inpatient building at the former Cadbury site, signalling a key milestone in what will be the largest health investment ever made in the South Island.

Health Minister Simeon Brown, joined by Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich, made the announcement during a site visit, emphasizing the importance of community inclusion in this generational infrastructure project.

---

Purpose and Role of the Southern Engagement Group

The newly formed Southern Engagement Group will serve as a dedicated forum for information-sharing and community dialogue throughout the hospital’s construction phase. Its primary role is to ensure the people of Dunedin, Otago, and Southland are kept informed and engaged as the project moves forward.

Key functions of the group include:

• Providing regular updates on construction progress

• Serving as a liaison between project leadership and local stakeholders

• Enhancing public transparency and addressing community questions

• Supporting broad regional engagement with affected communities

Importantly, the group will not be tasked with advising on:

• Building design scope

• Clinical models of care

• Procurement decisions

The group will meet quarterly and include representatives from:

• Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora

• Local government authorities

• Infrastructure and construction partners

• Tertiary institutions and other regional stakeholders

---

Minister Brown: “We’re Getting On With the Job”

Minister Simeon Brown reiterated the Government’s commitment to getting the hospital project back on track and emphasized that community communication and engagement are now a central part of that process.

“Work is back underway on the inpatient building at the former Cadbury site, marking a critical phase for this major health investment,” he said. “The Southern Engagement Group will help ensure the project is well embedded into the fabric of the city and the region, playing a vital role in ensuring the public receives clear and consistent updates.”

Brown confirmed that construction will progress with an eye on public confidence, reinforcing that local voices and stakeholder collaboration will play a pivotal role in project delivery.

---

Mayor Radich: “Community Oversight Is Crucial”

Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich welcomed the initiative, noting that the region has long called for better transparency and local involvement in the hospital project. He applauded the Government’s decision to act on his recommendation for a reinstated oversight group.

“The people of the South are rightly passionate about our new hospital,” said Radich. “There is understandable interest in the finer details of the construction and fit-out. I’m delighted that the Minister has taken up my recommendation to form a community group to keep people engaged and informed.”

Radich also reiterated his support for the hospital being built in full, with all 11 floors as promised, and said the group would help reassure the public that the project is progressing transparently and responsibly.

---

Background: New Dunedin Hospital’s Scope and Progress

The New Dunedin Hospital is New Zealand’s largest public hospital redevelopment, set to replace the ageing current facility. The project includes two major components:

1. Outpatient Building – nearing completion and scheduled to begin care delivery from 2026

2. Inpatient Building – now progressing through its foundation and substructure phases, with full operation expected by 2031

The inpatient facility will span approximately 70,000 square metres and incorporate advanced seismic safety features like base isolators and IL4-rated foundations. It is designed to meet the region’s clinical needs, population growth, and technological advancements for decades to come.

---

A Regional Asset for Future Generations

Both the Government and local leaders have emphasized that the new hospital will serve not just Dunedin, but the entire lower South Island, acting as a hub for tertiary care, medical education, and specialist treatment.

“By 2031, Dunedin will have a resilient, fit-for-purpose health facility that will serve the city and wider region for generations to come,” Minister Brown said.

---

A Hospital Built with and for the Community

The creation of the Southern Engagement Group represents a shift toward collaborative governance and local inclusion in the delivery of major public infrastructure. As New Zealand’s healthcare needs evolve, the Dunedin Hospital project is setting a new standard for how the Government can build with communities, not just for them.