Health Minister reveals new beds, ‘rapid-build ward’ for Waikato Hospital

Monday, 3 November 2025

Waikato Hospital is among the country’s busiest hospital’s set to benefit from the Government’s fast-tracked wards programme, Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced.

Brown said the “Rapid-build” wards will add 140 new beds to hospitals across the country, and that the planned modular 28-bed wards would be added to five hospitals: Waikato, Middlemore in Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, and Hawke’s Bay.

Brown said the new wards would be built off-site, and be installed and operational in the second half of 2026.

“Not only is this cost effective, but it means that we can increase capacity rapidly to support our hospitals at this time,” Brown said.

“These are some of our busiest hospitals, and this is about an increase in capacity so people can be seen quickly, treated quickly, and get the care that they need in a timely, quality manner.”

Brown said the Waikato Hospital would see its new ward operate as an assessment and diagnostic area near the emergency department, providing brief observations and treatment outside the main wards.

Modular building firm Southbase, which says it has completed more than 50 school building projects, won the contract to build the wards, which Brown said could be relocated in the future if needed.

The wards would be built to a 50-year standard, he said.

“This investment is about delivering practical solutions to meet growing demand. By getting these new hospital wards built quickly through modular design and construction, we’re strengthening hospital capacity so patients can get the care they need when they need it,” Brown said.

The rapid-build wards will be constructed off-site and installed on hospital grounds, enabling faster, more cost-effective delivery, while also providing flexibility to redeploy units to other hospitals if required.

“These new wards will make a real difference for both patients and staff. They will ease pressure on emergency departments, support faster admissions and discharges, and improve patient flow right across the hospital.”

Brown said the investment is part of the Government’s wider programme to deliver the health infrastructure New Zealanders need to access timely, quality care.

“This is about delivering more capacity, quickly and efficiently, while we continue major rebuilds in Dunedin, Wellington, Nelson, and Whangārei.

“These investments are about making sure our hospitals and frontline health workers have the space, resources, and flexibility they need to meet demand and deliver the best care for patients.”

Brown said about 350 additional staff would be needed for the new wards, and this had also been funded.

“The operational funding has been approved, and that funding will mean that the additional nursing and medical staff for these wards will be able to be recruited, and that recruitment will get under way, so as soon as they become operational, those staff will be in place.”