17249 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

17249 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Has Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment - Project Maunga - Stage Two experienced any delays to its planned timeline, if so, by how long has the project been delayed in total, what are the reasons for each delay, and what steps are being taken to recover the schedule, if any?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment - Project Maunga - Stage 2 has experienced delays against its planned timeline. Two change requests approved under the previous Government reset the projected completion date initially to May 2025, and subsequently to December 2025. Health New Zealand does not consider these approved scope and timing changes to constitute project delays. Practical completion is now scheduled for May 2026. I am further advised that the delay from December 2025 to May 2026 is due primarily to commissioning requirements and critical link/atrium works. Health NZ has worked with the contractor to mitigate the impact of the delay, including by enabling access to key areas for assessment and use — where it is safe and practical to do so — ahead of final completion. I am advised that the original projected completion date for Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment - Project Maunga - Stage 2 was forecast to be between October and December 2023. As the Member will be aware, the revisions to the project timeline occurred under the previous Government through approved change requests which significantly extended delivery timeframes before this Government took office.