That was the message of Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich after tens of thousands marched in protest against planned cuts to the new hospital project.
Mr Radich was one of several speakers at the march who voiced their anger and disbelief at the government’s proposal to either scale back or ditch the project in favour of retrofitting the present hospital building.
"I’m thrilled to have so many people here; it’s a very strong indication of the depth of feeling in the South.
"This is far more than we expected."
As the first part of the protest reached the Octagon, protesters were still waiting to leave the Dental School.
It took about 45 minutes for the march to reach the Octagon and the Dunedin City Council estimated the turnout at up to 35,000 people.
The march was originally called for after the Otago Daily Times reported Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora’s proposals to make clinical cuts to the inpatient building.
The march was first announced on September 20.
On Saturday, Mr Radich told the ODT he and the council initially were hoping for a "few thousand", but the government’s announcement on September 26 "really kicked things into gear".
"I don’t think [Saturday’s] action will instantly change the government’s mind but what it does do is trigger the campaign.
"The first step was taking a 23,000 signature petition to parliament.
"The second step is having more than that number here in the Octagon."
University of Otago oncology professor Chris Jackson on social media said it was the "largest protest crowd Dunedin has seen in my lifetime".
Richard Thomson, who helped lead the march to save neurosurgery in Dunedin in 2010, also spoke at Saturday’s march.
He said Saturday’s march was even bigger than the 10,000 who turned out in 2010 to support neurosurgery, but the "long march" to ensure Dunedin and the South got the hospital it deserved was going to be a battle.
"And it will not be easy."
He was also concerned about Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Health Minister Dr Shane Reti’s insistence that building the new Dunedin hospital entirely to spec would cost nearly $3 billion.
"We have to start by disabusing the public who are being told that it’s a cost that it never was.
"The $3 billion figure that is being plucked out of thin air is simply being manufactured to suit an argument. And I think that is reprehensible."New Zealand Nurses’ Organisation (NZNO) Dunedin delegate Linda Smillie said she was "quite emotional" about the whole event.
"I think it shows the depth of feeling that people have around this hospital and what it means to them."
She was not "very optimistic", because "this government did not have a habit of listening to us", but NZNO president Anne Daniels was more hopeful.
"I am optimistic because this march shows the depth of feeling and it means that people are not going to give up," Ms Daniels said.
"And we have seen governments actually turn around and change their mind.
"Look at what happened with the neurosurgery marches."
On Saturday, Dr Reti acknowledged the march.
"I absolutely recognise the passion of New Zealanders when it comes to delivery of health services, and that was reflected in Dunedin.
"I want to assure the people of Dunedin and the South that Health New Zealand and ministers are fully committed to making sure we deliver long overdue solutions to their region’s health infrastructure needs.
"The government remains committed to building a new hospital in Dunedin."
