However, they are expecting action and efficiency from the new man in charge, Simeon Brown.
Shane Reti was yesterday dumped as health minister in a Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
A final decision is yet to be announced.
Southern leaders, many of whom have since campaigned against any cuts, reacted to yesterday’s news by saying they believed the ministerial change was meaningless.
Several had sympathy for Dr Reti.
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich said it was a "shame" to see Dr Reti, a GP, lose the health portfolio, because he was aware of the issues health professionals faced.
He said he did not think his publicly repeated faith in Dr Reti had been misplaced and he immediately transferred this faith to Mr Brown, who was a person with a "strong sense of practicality" and hoped he would "forge ahead" with the new hospital as was promised "by the Prime Minister himself".
Former Labour Cabinet minister Pete Hodgson, who led part of the new Dunedin hospital project in its early days, said Dr Reti had been repeatedly humiliated, firstly by the coalition negotiations, which saw him lose credibility with clinicians over smoking policy, and then by the Budget process, which saw tax cuts prioritised above adequate health funding.
"Health is the government’s biggest vulnerability because of systemic neglect, not because of the Health Minister."
It was "too early to say" whether the reshuffle would have any impact on the new Dunedin hospital project, he said.
In Dunedin, city councillor Steve Walker said if he wore an "optimistic hat", he might conclude the National Party was about to fulfil its election promise to build the hospital outlined in a business case.
"With my pessimistic hat on, the government will now use ‘yes man’ Simeon Brown to further downscale the hospital project and embed cuts to both the hospital footprint and clinical services.
"If it’s the latter, I hope the people of the South are ready to march again."
Cr Carmen Houlahan said as Local Government Minister, Mr Brown had done no favours for local government.
"... so goodness knows what he will do about our hospital. Sadly, I don’t feel positive at all."
It appeared Dr Reti had been demoted "due to his lack of visibility on health issues, being reluctant to front up in public", Mr Kircher said.
"I am sure he was making progress in some areas, but not quickly enough."
New Zealand Nurses Organisation president Anne Daniels, of Dunedin, said nurses felt a change of minister was meaningless unless promises about a new Dunedin hospital came to fruition in a timely manner.
"The government promised a hospital that meets the requirements of the business case and meets the requirements of the population.
"It’s pretty much that simple."
Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson, a New Zealand First MP based in Otago, said he hoped Mr Brown would deliver what was needed with "some urgency".
"We all want some action here, so that’s clearly what Simeon’s been asked to deliver."
Dunedin Labour MP Rachel Brooking was not holding her breath for any "positive" change.
"This government has reneged on all its promises.
"It is clear the South Island needs two tertiary hospitals, not just one in Christchurch.
"I would hope the government would realise this."
Dr Reti will keep his Pacific Peoples’ portfolio and also be assigned the Statistics and Universities portfolios.
