On Thursday 26th September the government announced a halt to Dunedin's new hospital build after a forecast budget blowout that could reach $3 billion.

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It is currently evaluating whether to reduce the build or plan a staged build while refurnishing the existing hospital.

35,000 people in Dunedin marched in support of the new hospital on Saturday (26 Sep) while mayors from across the south lambasted the government's decision.

Southland District Mayor Rob Scott said the south would be standing up and fighting for the decision they deserve - which is not a postcode lottery, while Invercargill City Mayor Nobby Clark said without adequate resourcing people would die.

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Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds justified the government's decision by saying the health needs of the province need to be balanced with the needs of other communities around the country.

What do you think?

Should the government forge ahead with a scaled back new build to keep within the original budget, opt for a staged redevelopment and refurbishment of the existing hospital, continue building the new Dunedin hospital as planned - knowing that it is likely to cost $1.8 billion or even up to $3 billion (when pathology lab, carparking etc is included) or don't spend more on Dunedin hospital and instead redirect more funding into improving and expanding community hospital services in the south?

Click on the highlighted link to have you say.

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Work halts as the the future of Dunedin's new hospital is brought into question.