Dozens of Otago Daily Times readers have shared their thoughts about the government’s shock decision to downgrade the new Dunedin Hospital project.
Among the comments are those concerned that the government's cuts will end up costing the South more in the long run.
We will continue to publish readers' responses over the coming days.
It’s important that we put the claims about “most expensive hospital in the southern hemisphere” and critique of budget blowouts in context.
The reference point for these claims is the 2017 budget assumptions, and hospitals that are already built, albeit under different cost circumstances. We need to consider inflation across this period.
To provide an example of how fatuous the statements are, you could claim, rightly, that standard home builders are now building the most expensive kit set homes in New Zealand’s history. Or, the budget for a “Versatile garage” costs more than what it did in 2017.
If we follow the governments logic, home builders and garage project managers are incompetent, and we should downsize all houses.
What $1.3bil got us in 2017 is different a decade later…. Maybe this would matter if the government's tax revenues were the same as what they were in 2017, but they’re not….
TL, Dunedin
The planned cuts by the National government are based solely on scrapping or cutting any back infrastructure projects started by the previous government on the pretense that they will save us money.
Really in the long term it will cost us, the taxpayer, more since they will carry on the government's culture of patching up old public infrastructure.
A National government is usually voted in partly due to its business acumen, however they are quickly demonstrating that they really don't have the skills to sufficiently manage or create wealth for the purpose of the public good.
Dunedin needs a new hospital for the benefit of the southern region, our current hospital has done its day and will not cope with a future faced with an increased and ageing population.
I believe also that what was proposed will also be seen in other regions outside of the main centres and that other hospitals in need of replacement or upgrade can expect similar outcomes.
Ben Kingsley-Holmes, Mosgiel
The can was kicked down the road. Now that we are here it is not a shock the government has opted for the same approach. Only an utter disappointment.
Rory B, Dunedin
The National party basically blatantly lied to the people of Dunedin and Southland to get voted in, promising us not just that they would build the new hospital but would reverse any proposed cuts!
They have also let NZ down by preventing the opportunity to help safeguard it's population against the challenges of future pandemics etc.
You would think COVID would have been a wake up call, it was the "this is what can happen" message, but instead they seem to have completely ignored that very real warning and experience.
This act of stopping the new hospital build could be the worst act of sabotage against a country's population by its own Government that the Southern hemisphere has ever seen. This, they seem to be completely oblivious to.
Trevor Lewis, Palmerston
It is very concerning that we have a world class medical school yet our hospital is approaching a developing world standard.
Our nurses and doctors are superb but they deserve a functioning hospital and the people of the South deserve a functioning hospital.
Unfortunately our current government does not seem to be representing New Zealanders, especially if you live in the South Island.
Anna Garthwaite, Dunedin
I've had 3 surgeries at Dunedin Hospital, the latest one was a year and a half ago was to widen my nasal passages.
I had to wait almost two years and it was totally needed as I would spend countless mornings being unwell even using a sleep apnea machine.
I believe a new Dunedin Hospital would shorten waiting times for people in great need of health care and of course save many lives and prolong others, Also it would serve other areas in Southern region including Nelson.
Spend the money and save lives as our health care is essential for all people.
Gregory Maynard, Mosgiel
People from right across the lower south rely on Dunedin hospital - it provides care to people from Gore, Invercargill, Balclutha, Milton, Wanaka, Queenstown, Alexandra, Cromwell, Te Anau, Oamaru, Palmerston, Waikouaiti, Mosgiel, Dunedin, and so on.
National's claim it can't afford a new hospital doesn't ring true when it's delivered giant tax breaks to landlords and housing speculators, and it's cut the taxes of wealthy NZers.
I hope all the people of the South, and the rest of the country, will remember National's broken promise re the Dunedin hospital, and its pathetic, smoke and mirrors excuses, when it comes time to vote in the next election.
Sonja Mitchell, Dunedin
We are of course led by a so called "business man" who has never, as they say, had any personal skin in the game.
He still hasn't, ITS NOW THE PEOPLE OF OTAGO WHOSE LITERAL SKIN HES PUT IN THE GAME.
Roy Mason, Cheviot
I think the new hospital in Dunedin is a regional hospital for the lower South Island.
Over the years Dunedin Hospital and the Otago Medical School have been respected for training Doctors for New Zealand and overseas.
This Government has talked about a third Medical School in Hamilton to train Doctors along with Otago and Auckland.
Could the new Dunedin Hospital accommodate maybe a larger Otago Medical School instead of one in Hamilton.
Brian Smith, Dunedin
I am outraged by the decision of the government! Broken promises!
This government cares only about money, which they found enough to give to their landlord mates.
I had low expectations when National, Act and NZ First became a coalition government but they have surpassed all my expectations for the dastardly things they have done. Kicking people when they are down is not right!
Janine Pearce, Dunedin
Once again the south has been kicked in the guts by government no wonder we have to build a charity hospital. We need a decent hospital for the next several decades.
Susan Smith, Clinton
As a senior citizen living in Dunedin I fully expect to avail myself of some of the benefits Health New Zealand offer to people needing medical interventions.
It is completely unacceptable that this present Government have shelved the plans already in place to build a new hospital to service not only the people of Dunedin but would be a major centre for the health needs of all the population south of Oamaru.
To reneg on an election promise to honour the plans made by the Labour Party goes to show how two-faced this present Government is. WE NEED A NEW HOSPITAL - NOT A PATCH UP JOB !!!
Elizabeth James, Dunedin
