Construction on a new neonatal unit at Hutt Hospital will begin in April, expanding specialist care for newborns in the Hutt Valley, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
“Welcoming a baby who needs specialist support can be an anxious and unsettling time for families. We want parents to be able to focus on their newborns’ recovery and wellbeing, without the added disruption of travelling outside their community to access the care they need.
“The current neonatal unit at Hutt Hospital no longer meets demand, with some families needing to be transferred to Wellington Hospital due to limited space.
“This $10.5 million investment will increase the unit’s floor area by 61 per cent and expand capacity from 12 to 14 cots, allowing more babies to receive specialist care in the Hutt Valley.
“The new unit has been designed to reflect modern models of neonatal care, with enhanced infection prevention and control, improved clinical workflows, and greater privacy and comfort for families. It will provide a more functional environment for our most vulnerable patients.”
Local MP Chris Bishop says strengthening local hospital capacity is important for the Hutt community.
“This new neonatal unit will mean more newborns can receive specialist care right here in the Hutt Valley, surrounded by their parents, family, and wider support networks. Families will spend less time travelling and more time focusing on their baby’s recovery and wellbeing.
“It’s an important step in supporting our growing communities and ensuring families can access quality health services close to home, when they need them most.”
Construction is expected to begin in April 2026, with the new unit scheduled to open in mid-2027.
“We are focused on ensuring health infrastructure keeps pace with community need and population growth, and that it is designed with patients at the centre, including our smallest and most vulnerable babies.
“This new neonatal unit will give parents in Hutt Valley confidence that specialist neonatal care will continue to be available close to home, both now and into the future,” Mr Brown says.