Health New Zealand Waitematā’s commitment to accommodating unprecedented population growth in New Zealand’s northern region culminated in the successful completion of the new Tōtara Haumaru hospital building. Situated on Auckland’s North Shore, this state-of-the-art facility represents the most significant enhancement to the North Shore Hospital campus since the early 1980s.
In November 2020, Hawkins was awarded the project under an ECI contract before progressing to deliver the new building as Main Contractor. The project was completed through a collaborative effort, designed by Jasmax, managed by Precon, and supported by engineering expertise from Beca and Aurecon, along with quantity surveying by RLB.
The ECI period enabled proactive collaboration from the outset, resulting in a new four-storey hospital building situated adjacent to the existing Elective Surgery Centre and connected to existing hospital facilities via a sky bridge. The 19,700m² facility boasts up to eight additional operating theatres, four new endoscopy suites, and 150 new beds, and has been built to an Importance Level 4 (IL4) rating, meaning that in the event of a disaster, such as an earthquake, the building will remain operational.
Navigating the complexities of constructing within an operational hospital campus posed several significant challenges, which Hawkins managed well. Key among these was minimising disruptions to hospital operations, a feat achieved through rigorous adherence to detailed disruption notice procedures. This included proactive measures to mitigate noise and vibration from construction activities and strategic planning to avoid interference with critical hospital functions. With over 420 people on site at its peak, we managed two site entry and exit points to help control people movement and flow, as well as keeping the adjacent roadways clear. We also introduced our own on-site food outlet, alleviating pressure and disruption from our workforce on neighbouring food outlets.
A significant aspect of the project was the integration of Sikla prefabricated combined service cradles, marking their first large-scale use in New Zealand. This innovation not only met strict IL4 seismic standards but also enhanced the flexibility of service installations throughout the building. The integration of these systems during the design phase allowed for precise coordination of multiple services, thereby optimising the use of space and preventing clashes in service installation.
Collaboration extended to integrating building services with specialised medical equipment in operating theatres and endoscopy suites, involving careful coordination with Health New Zealand Waitematā’s surgical pendant and equipment suppliers. This ensured that all structural and service elements were aligned with the requirements of the medical teams.
The high density of services within the building necessitated advanced modelling techniques to ensure that all architectural and service elements were perfectly integrated into the available spaces. Hawkins utilised Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology extensively to simulate and resolve potential design conflicts, streamlining the construction process and ensuring a high level of buildability.
Community engagement was also central to the project’s execution. Hawkins worked closely with the Northern Job and Skills Hub to provide local employment opportunities and work experience for local rangatahi (young people) interested in entering the world of construction. Over the 22/23 summer period, 15 rangatahi worked with Hawkins and subcontractors on site. Hawkins also engaged with a number of Amotai suppliers, supporting businesses that are at least 50% Māori and/or Pasifika-owned. This approach not only supported local economic development but also reinforced Hawkins’ commitment to delivering broader social outcomes through its projects.
The successful delivery of the Tōtara Haumaru in May 2024 demonstrates our expertise in managing large-scale, complex healthcare construction projects. By overcoming significant logistical challenges and leveraging innovative construction techniques and technologies, Hawkins has delivered a facility that will enhance the healthcare infrastructure of Auckland’s North Shore, demonstrating our capability and reinforcing our reputation as a leader in the construction industry.
