33175 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

33175 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: 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?

Hon Simeon Brown: 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.