Plans for a world-leading Health and Education Precinct in central Dunedin, named Te Whakaari, have been released by the Southern District Health Board (SDHB).

Occupying much of the Dunedin CBD area between the current hospital and Lower Stuart Street, the precinct is set to revitalise Dunedin's city central.

“The Health and Education Precinct will be a thriving hub for healthcare, learning and mahi. Along with our new hospital, it will offer greenspaces, additional healthcare services, and vibrant retail. Te Whakaari promotes an exciting vision for Dunedin that will support equitable healthcare and the mauri ora of our communities,” SDHB Chief Executive Chris Fleming said.

The masterplan supports the Dunedin City Council’s Central City Plan, with the Health and Education Precinct providing a link between the Tertiary Precinct to the north and the Cultural and Entertainment Quarter to the south. 

“It will also strengthen the hospital’s existing bonds with local rūnaka, the University of Otago, and Otago Polytechnic,” Fleming says. 

Phase one of SDHB's ambitious three phase plan will be completed by mid-2030. Graphic: SDHB

The precinct design features three phases of development: short-term (until 2030), medium-term (until 2040) and long-term (until 2080).

The short-term plan includes the completion of the New Dunedin Hospital, a 500-car parking facility also suitable for electric vehicles and cycles, the development of an Interprofessional Learning Centre for student learning, and a Translational Research Centre. During this phase, it is hoped that developers will provide retail activity in the precinct. 

The medium-term plan sees Southern Blood and Cancer Services moving south of the New Dunedin Hospital, where it could be a comprehensive standalone centre. Additionally, the existing ‘Dairy Building’ could be repurposed as a Cancer Support Centre and/or Health Rehabilitation Centre. 

The long-term plan allows room for the development of future services. 

Spaces between buildings are set aside for a ‘green spine’ to encourage pedestrian and social activity at the heart of the precinct. The ‘green spine’ forms part of a larger ‘greenway loop,’ and works in tandem with planned upgrades to Dunedin’s retail quarter. 

As the SDHB transitions to Health New Zealand, the Site Masterplan will help inform future infrastructure decisions for Dunedin and, more broadly, the Southern District.

“Te Whakaari is a vision and a roadmap for the stakeholders of the future,” Mr Fleming says.

“It will enhance Dunedin’s reputation as a centre for health, innovation and education.”