Articles tagged with Waikato
Waikato’s SH27 Ohinekaua Bridge Replacement Begins June 2024
3 days ago | 99 viewsConstruction of a new bridge on State Highway 27 (SH27) between Tahuna and Patetonga in Waikato will begin in June to replace the 80-year-old Ohinekaua Stream Bridge, ensuring the route remains safe and reliable for daily users. Downer NZ is contracted for the $3.26 million project, with a temporary single-lane Bailey bridge and diversion to maintain traffic flow during construction, expected to finish by the end of the year. This bridge replacement is part of a wider 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme focusing on repairing and upgrading priority bridges nationwide to improve resilience and support freight, tourism, and community connectivity.
Tags: Chris Bishop SH27 Ohinekaua Stream Bridge Downer NZ Waikato National Land Transport Programme NZTA SH3 Mangapepeke SH25 Pepe Stream Bridge SH82 Elephant Hill BridgeUniversity of Waikato Medical School Clinical Training Regions Confirmed for 2028
3 days ago | 104 viewsThe University of Waikato's new medical school, starting in 2028, will train 120 graduate-entry students annually, with clinical placements across five regional areas to encourage doctors to practice in underserved communities. A nationwide distributed clinical placement network is being established to coordinate training across New Zealand’s three medical schools, including new Community Clinical Learning Centres in smaller towns to support rural healthcare workforce growth. This initiative aims to build a stronger, regionally connected health workforce by embedding students in their home regions, addressing long-term shortages in primary care and rural health services.
Tags: Simeon Brown Matt Doocey University of Waikato New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine Waikato Hospital Tauranga Hospital Taranaki Base Hospital Hawke's Bay Hospital Nelson Hospital Health New ZealandWaikato Medical School Clinical Training Regions Confirmed for 2028 Launch
3 days ago | 64 viewsThe University of Waikato's new medical school, starting in 2028, will train 120 graduate-entry students annually with clinical placements across five regional areas to encourage doctors to practice in underserved communities. A new national distributed clinical placement network, developed with Health New Zealand and other universities, will coordinate opportunities and establish Community Clinical Learning Centres in smaller towns to support rural training and retention. This initiative aims to strengthen New Zealand's domestic medical workforce by embedding students in regional and rural settings, addressing long-term shortages, and building a more regionally connected health system.
Tags: Simeon Brown Matt Doocey University of Waikato New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine Waikato Hospital Tauranga Hospital Taranaki Base Hospital Hawke's Bay Hospital Nelson Hospital Health New ZealandWaikato Expressway Extension Approved with $1.77B Budget for Safer Travel
2 weeks ago | 177 viewsThe Budget 2026 allocates $1.773 billion to extend the Waikato Expressway from Cambridge to Piarere, a critical freight and economic corridor connecting Auckland, Waikato, and the Bay of Plenty. This 16-kilometre four-lane expressway aims to improve safety, reduce serious injuries by around 70%, enhance resilience, and support economic growth in one of New Zealand’s most important transport routes. Early works are underway following consents granted in September 2025, as part of the Government’s broader Roads of National Significance programme to boost infrastructure, jobs, and productivity nationwide.
Tags: Chris Bishop Waikato Expressway Cambridge to Piarere State Highway 1 Roads of National Significance New Zealand Auckland Tauranga NZTA Warkworth to Te HanaMajor Hospital Upgrades and $680M Investment to Boost NZ Health Infrastructure
2 weeks ago | 200 viewsBudget 2026 allocates over $680 million for major hospital upgrades in Whangārei, Tauranga, Hawke’s Bay, Palmerston North, and other facilities across New Zealand, aiming to strengthen health infrastructure and improve patient care. Key projects include a new 158-bed ward tower at Whangārei Hospital, redevelopment planning for regional hospitals, land acquisition for a new hospital south of Auckland, and upgrades to Auckland’s Mason Clinic. Additionally, Health New Zealand will invest $930 million in clinical equipment, technology, and facility improvements nationwide to support health targets, reduce waiting times, and future-proof services.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Health New Zealand Whangārei Hospital Tauranga Hospital Hawke’s Bay Hospital Palmerston North Hospital University of Waikato Mason Clinic Budget 2026Waikato Hospital Opens 10 New Forensic Mental Health Beds to Boost Support
1 month ago | 252 viewsWaikato Hospital has opened ten new forensic inpatient beds to improve access to specialist mental health support, addressing growing demand within the corrections system where mental health needs are high. This expansion is part of a $51 million government investment that also includes community-based step-down beds, wrap-around support services, and workforce development to enhance treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration. The initiative aims to ensure patient and public safety by providing adequate care and strengthening pathways from inpatient care to community reintegration.
Tags: Matt Doocey Waikato Hospital Mental Health Forensic Services Midland Region Ember Health NZ Government Addiction RehabilitationNew Cancer Infusion Service Launches at Te Kūiti Hospital for Local Care
1 month ago | 343 viewsTe Kūiti Hospital has launched a new infusion service providing local cancer treatments, reducing the need for patients to travel to Waikato Hospital. Initially operating one day a week with certified staff and on-site support, the service aims to expand as part of a nationwide effort to increase cancer treatment access in rural communities. Supported by significant government investment, this initiative focuses on patient-centered care, improving timely treatment access, and enhancing the overall experience for patients and their families.
Tags: Simeon Brown Te Kūiti Hospital King Country Waikato Hospital chemotherapy cancer treatment New Zealand Pharmac Budget 2024 infusion serviceMajor Upgrade Completed on SH1 Tīrau to Waiouru with 128 Lane Km Rehabilitated
1 month ago | 418 viewsCritical sections of State Highway 1 between Tīrau and Waiouru have undergone a major upgrade, with 128 lane kilometres rehabilitated or resealed under the Accelerated Maintenance programme, condensing four seasons of work into two. The project, funded by the Government’s $2.07 billion State Highway Pothole Prevention fund, repaired 5,670 potholes and involved extensive resurfacing, stabilising, and structural asphalt work to improve safety, quality, and accommodate future traffic growth. Completed on schedule with zero lost time due to injuries, the upgrade benefits freight, tourism, and local communities by delivering a safer, smoother journey along this critical North Island corridor.
Tags: Chris Bishop State Highway 1 SH1 Tīrau Waiouru Waikato North Island road maintenance pothole repair asphalt concreteGovernment Invests $800K to Repair NZ Great Ride Cycle Trails After Storms
1 month ago | 395 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing over $800,000 to repair storm damage on three Great Ride cycle trails and provide marketing funds to support regional tourism recovery. Significant repairs include $300,000 for the Hauraki Rail Trail, $110,000 for the Waikato River Trail, and nearly $427,000 for Tasman’s Great Taste Trail, which contributes $34 million annually to the local economy. Additionally, targeted marketing funding aims to rebuild visitor confidence following severe weather events, reinforcing the partnership between central and local governments and supporting ongoing tourism and economic benefits.
Tags: Louise Upston Hauraki Rail Trail Waikato River Trail Tasman’s Great Taste Trail Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Government Tourism and Hospitality Bay of Plenty Coromandel New Zealand Cycle TrailsAshbourne Project in Waikato Approved for 518 Homes and Solar Farms
1 month ago | 363 viewsThe Ashbourne project in Waikato, approved through the Fast-track process, will deliver 518 new homes, a neighborhood center, open spaces with walking and cycling paths, two solar farms, and necessary water infrastructure. The project, submitted by Matamata Development Limited in February 2025, addresses housing demand in the rapidly growing Waikato region but excludes a retirement village and some residential areas on highly productive land due to environmental concerns. This approval marks the 19th Fast-track project, part of a broader initiative facilitating timely infrastructure and housing developments across New Zealand.
Tags: Chris Bishop Mikaela Bossley Clark Matamata Development Limited Ashbourne Waikato Arataki Drury Haldon Solar FarmNew Zealand Expands Peer Support and Family Care for Eating Disorders
2 months ago | 458 viewsThe New Zealand Government is enhancing access to eating disorder support by introducing peer support workers across regional services and increasing funding by $4 million annually to reduce wait times and improve early intervention. Peer support workers, who have lived experience with eating disorders, are being implemented to aid recovery, alongside expanded support for families and carers through organizations like Eating Disorders Carer Support and the Eating Disorders Association of New Zealand. This initiative aims to strengthen community support networks and ensure timely, comprehensive care for individuals and their families affected by eating disorders.
Tags: Matt Doocey New Zealand Eating Disorders Mental Health Peer Support Workers Waikato Wellington Eating Disorders Strategy Eating Disorders Association of New Zealand Families and Carers$1.35M Upgrade Boosts Water Infrastructure at Mystery Creek for Fieldays
2 months ago | 427 viewsMystery Creek near Hamilton is upgrading its over-50-year-old water infrastructure with a $1.35 million Regional Infrastructure Fund loan to increase water storage and support growing visitor numbers. The site hosts National Fieldays, attracting over 110,000 visitors and generating significant economic impact, as well as more than 100 other events annually, and serves as a critical Civil Defence logistics hub. The project includes replacing the water network, installing a 600,000-litre tank, creating up to seven jobs, and aims to enhance safety, accessibility, and resilience ahead of this year’s Fieldays.
Tags: Mystery Creek Hamilton Shane Jones Mark Patterson Regional Infrastructure Fund National Fieldays Waikato New Zealand water infrastructure Civil DefenceHealth NZ Seeks Drury Land for New South Auckland Hospital and Health Precinct
2 months ago | 514 viewsHealth New Zealand is seeking proposals from landowners in Drury to secure a large site for a new hospital to address the growing health needs of South Auckland and north Waikato. The chosen location aims to support a major health precinct with modern facilities, leveraging Drury's proximity to key transport links for better accessibility. This initiative is part of a broader plan to strengthen health infrastructure and ensure future services can meet the demands of rapidly expanding communities.
Tags: South Auckland Drury Health New Zealand Simeon Brown hospital Middlemore Auckland City Waikato health infrastructure public transportNew Zealand Lowers Bowel Screening Age to 58, Expands Lifesaving Tests
2 months ago | 508 viewsNew Zealand has lowered the starting age for bowel screening from 60 to 58 across most regions, enabling around 40,000 more people to access early detection and potentially preventing hundreds of cancers and deaths over 25 years. The rollout is staged to ensure sufficient workforce and endoscopy capacity, with the FIT for Symptomatic pathway expanding nationwide to help detect bowel cancer earlier in symptomatic individuals and reduce unnecessary colonoscopies by at least 30%. These initiatives aim to improve cancer diagnostics and care, supporting earlier detection and better prioritization of patients to save more lives.
Tags: Simeon Brown New Zealand MidCentral Australia Auckland Counties Manukau Waitematā Waikato Hawke's BayHamilton Airport Runway Extension Boosted by $6.5M Loan for Growth and Resilience
2 months ago | 842 viewsHamilton Airport will receive a $6.5 million loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to extend its runway by 255 meters, enhancing its capacity and resilience as a key hub for domestic and international freight and passenger transport. The upgrade, including apron expansion and lighting improvements, supports Waikato’s major manufacturers and exporters and provides an alternative airport option during disruptions at other North Island airports. The project, led by Waikato Regional Airport Ltd with a $3.3 million contribution, is expected to create up to 39 local jobs and strengthen New Zealand’s national aviation network.
Tags: Hamilton Airport runway extension Regional Infrastructure Fund Shane Jones Waikato national aviation network Regional Development Minister Waikato Regional Airport Ltd Coalition Government airport construction jobs