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Has he at any point in the past 18 months been advised on the rapid build wards against proceeding at the preferred Waikato, Wellington Regional or Middlemore locations, or recommended an alternative site or approach; if so, on what dates? and 3 other questions

Answered 33175, 33228, 33229, 33231 (2026)
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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 33175

    Has he at any point in the past 18 months been advised on the rapid build wards against proceeding at the preferred Waikato, Wellington Regional or Middlemore locations, or recommended an alternative site or approach; if so, on what dates?

  • 33228

    Has he at any time been advised or seen advice against proceeding at the preferred Waikato rapid build ward site, or recommend an alternative site or approach, if so, what did that advice say, and did he accept it?

  • 33229

    What is the interim budget summary for the Waikato rapid build ward?

  • 33231

    What advice has he read on the estimated total cost of the Waikato rapid build ward, including site-specific and ancillary works, and how, if at all, has that estimate changed since November 2025?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I receive regular reporting from Health New Zealand on the progress of the Interim Inpatient Units. I was aware there were challenges with some of the locations. I was not advised that the units would not proceed at the preferred Waikato, Wellington Regional or Middlemore locations, or recommended an alternative site or approach. I am further advised that the Interim Inpatients Bed capacity unit programme has a total budget allocated of $109.625 million across the five sites. The exact amount for the individual units is subject to commercial negotiations.