Construction has begun on a $5 million primary maternity unit in Clyde, Central Otago, with site works scheduled to start in the coming weeks.
Health Minister Simeon Brown announced the construction commencement for the facility, which will take over maternity services currently provided in Alexandra. The build is expected to take 14 months, with the unit due to open in mid-2027.
The facility will house antenatal care, birthing services, postnatal recovery and urgent pregnancy assessments under one roof. Features include a delivery suite with pool, clinical consultation spaces for pre- and post-birth care, and rooms for antenatal education sessions. A waiting area with children's play space and a separate family room are also planned.
All overnight accommodation will be private with ensuite bathrooms and room for partners or relatives to stay. The design incorporates extensive glazing, outdoor access and landscape views, with a pedestrian route linking the unit to Dunstan Hospital and the helipad. On-site parking will be provided.
The development follows 2025 clinical service planning that identified gaps in maternity provision across Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago, though the Clyde project was already in train before that review. Health New Zealand is consulting with midwives, obstetricians, GPs and other frontline staff on a broader regional maternity service model.