Wānaka-based property investment company Roa has announced a joint venture partnership in its proposed Wānaka Health Precinct with Central Otago mana whenua interests.

In May 2024 Roa revealed plans for a $300M privately funded project comprising a five-level hospital with four operating theatres, imaging services, a 24-hour emergency department and more than 70 inpatient, emergency, and post anaesthetic care beds.  

Roa said the hospital would be at the heart of a broader “health precinct” which would include four offices for allied medical services such as consulting and treatment rooms, on-site parking, and ground level retail and hospitality opening out onto public pedestrian spaces.

Puketeraki Limited and Te Runaka Ōtākou Limited have now entered into an agreement with Roa that is intended to support the wider interests of mana whenua, Roa announced on Thursday (April 10).

Roa chief executive Mike Saegers told the Wānaka App the specifics of the joint venture partnership are “commercially sensitive”.

“However, I can confirm the new partner will have an equity position,” he said.

Roa said in a statement that the proposed Wānaka Health Precinct “will provide significant health and social infrastructure benefits for Wānaka and the Central Otago region”. 

“Puketeraki and Ōtākou acknowledge other mana whenua interests across rūnanga and will be inviting wider mana whenua interests to be represented in this partnership,” the statement said.

The parties agree the Wānaka hospital and healthcare precinct “is vital to meeting the future needs of the area’s rapidly growing population”. 

“They recognise that the critical lack of healthcare access is a significant and growing issue for the people of Wānaka and Central Otago, and that action is needed now.” 

An artist’s impression of Roa’s proposed health precinct at Wānaka’s Three Parks.

The proposed health precinct at Three Parks is one of the key strategic health infrastructure projects included in the proposal to government for a Regional Deal for Otago Central Lakes, and the only one committed to starting site works this year.

An application for resource consent was submitted to Queenstown Lakes District Council last year.

Te Rūnaka Ōtākou Limited Chair Brett Ellison welcomed the agreement.

“We are excited by the opportunity to tautoko this project and bring an intergenerational lens to the development of health infrastructure in our shared takiwā,” he said. 

“This is an inclusive opportunity for mana whenua to be a strategic partner to Roa who have recognised the value mana whenua provide when advancing strategic projects of this nature.”

Mike called the agreement an “important milestone” towards improving access to healthcare services.

“Both parties are intent on working together to improve public health outcomes, including expanding the scope of this project if necessary,” he said.

Read more:

• Wānaka hospital plans remain on track
• A ‘void’ in health care planning as private plans proliferate

PHOTOS: Supplied