Work has still not begun on alterations to Wānaka’s future primary birthing unit, more than a year after Te Whatu Ora purchased a local lodge with plans to quickly convert it.

Te Whatu Ora director of midwifery for southern Karen Ferraccioli told the Wānaka App yesterday (Wednesday September 27) that the health agency was currently awaiting approval of the building consent from Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) before beginning “the construction process”.

“At this stage we anticipate that the building will be open for use from the second calendar quarter of 2024,” she said.

The eight-bedroom lodge in Albert Town was purchased by June last year, and the Southern District Health Board (now Te Whatu Ora) initially said it would require minor alterations.

It was initially estimated to be open by early 2023 but that date has repeatedly been pushed back.

The Wānaka App last checked on progress in May this year, and was told that building consents hadn’t yet been submitted for the alterations required, but the agency was aiming for June.

The building consent application was submitted on August 10.

Read more: A year has passed but still no birthing unit for Wānaka

The delay was put down to transition from Southern District Health Board to Te Whatu Ora Southern (after July 1), which meant the project team had to adapt to new guidelines and a new regulatory environment.

Te Whatu Ora Director of Midwifery for Southern Karen Ferraccioli PHOTO: Supplied

At least five key people have been working on the project for the past year.

Yesterday Karen said major work was also required “refitting the building's internal systems such as rewiring, plumbing, fire, mechanical/ventilation, and digital, along with the fit out of the interior spaces”.

“Meanwhile, we are working with the contractor to finalise the demolition plan of certain interior elements to create connecting spaces. The work will commence soon.”

Four months ago Karen told the Wānaka App Te Whatu Ora already had a construction partner, plans for the use of each room, and a “detailed refit floorplan” including mechanical requirements, fire engineering, infection prevention and control measures, placement of hand basins, electrical rewiring, identification of nurse call and security systems, operational planning, and ordering of necessary equipment including digital gear.

QLDC spokesperson Sam White said the council was awaiting further information from Fire and Emergency NZ regarding the birthing unit’s building consent. 

There are 180 pregnancies in the Wānaka region each year on average, and that number is growing.

This area has a 30-50 percent primary birth rate, meaning that percentage of local women are birthing at home or in the primary birthing units an hour’s drive away (in Alexandra and Queenstown).

“Our top priority is to make sure the unit is operational as soon as possible,” Karen said.

“Our team is working tirelessly to create a fit-for-purpose primary birthing unit for Wānaka and its surrounding areas soon, and we look forward to sharing this exciting milestone with the community.”