More than a decade after Middlemore Hospital discovered major weathertightness failures, taxpayers are still footing a multimillion-dollar repair bill, with $28.5 million of work underway on two critical hospital buildings and completion not expected until 2028.
Chris Cardwell, Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora northern regional infrastructure director, gave an update on the big fix-up, which started in 2025.
Work on crucial buildings, which have children’s emergency and intensive care services, is so substantial that the project has a fixed tower crane, able to lift heavy material loads.
The hospital contract was listed in the RLB Crane Index featured in the Herald last month.
Cardwell said the Kidz First and McIndoe buildings were undergoing a $28.5m external remediation work programme.
That would ensure they remained safe and fit for purpose for patients, whānau and staff in future, he said.
“The project involves removing the existing facade, replacing timber where required, addressing building compliance issues, and installing a new cladding system,” Cardwell said.
Work began in late 2025 and is expected to be completed in 2028. Contractor Aspec Construction is delivering the project.
The McIndoe building has the emergency department, intensive care unit and national burns unit.
Kidz First is for specialist paediatric services.
Cardwell said both buildings remained operational despite the repair work.
“Extensive planning and consultation take place with clinical teams to minimise disruption and ensure patient care continues safely while the work is carried out,” he said.
The buildings were constructed about 25 years ago as part of a wider hospital development involving a range of designers, suppliers and contractors.
Historical building condition issues were considered through the appropriate governance, technical assessment and business case processes at the time.
“Health New Zealand’s focus is now on delivering the approved remediation programme and ensuring these important facilities remain safe, resilient, and fit for purpose for patients, whānau and staff into the future,” Cardwell said.
Two years ago, RNZ reported a $100m figure to fix leaky buildings at Middlemore and the Manukau SuperClinic.
The Kidz First children’s hospital and three other major patient blocks at Middlemore and Manukau SuperClinic were beset with leaks after substandard construction.
Hospital managers found out about it in 2010.
Anne Gibson has been the Herald’s property editor for 26 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.
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