A $13.9 million upgrade of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Christchurch Women’s Hospital will increase capacity across Canterbury and the wider South Island.

Health Minister Simeon Brown said the investment would ease pressure on the city’s neonatal services. “Every New Zealander deserves access to timely, quality healthcare, and that starts with supporting our most vulnerable patients – our newborns,” he said.

The redevelopment will add 10 cots, taking the unit’s total from 44 to 54. The expanded space will also improve infection prevention measures and bring the facility up to the latest fire and safety standards.

Brown said the upgrade would give families confidence their babies could receive specialised care close to home. “Christchurch’s NICU services have been under increasing pressure in recent years, with demand for care often exceeding available capacity,” he said.

Preparatory work has begun, with construction due to start next year. The project is expected to take around nine months, with the unit fully operational in early 2027.

Brown said improving health infrastructure remained a Government priority. “More cots, better facilities, and stronger infection control measures mean that newborns get the care they need when they need it most,” he said.