The programme will add 140 new beds across Middlemore, Waikato, Wellington Regional, Nelson and Hawke’s Bay Hospitals, helping to ease pressure on emergency departments and improve patient flow.

The wards will be built off-site using modular construction, allowing for faster, more cost-effective delivery with minimal disruption. All 28-bed units share the same standard design, enabling faster delivery while supporting a range of local clinical needs, including short-stay surgical care and temporary relocation during seismic strengthening.

CID signed a delivery agreement with Health New Zealand in October 2025 and is leading the programme in partnership with Southbase Construction and Fitzgerald. The design is consent-ready and construction programmes are expected to be five months or less on site. All five wards are expected to be operational in the second half of 2026.