Press Release – New Zealand Government A new $40 million, 30-bed ward at Waitākere Hospital will mean more West Aucklanders can be treated close to home. Health Minister Andrew Little visited the hospital today to announce Government funding for the ward, subject to an approved business case. “As I said in my speech last week announcing major reforms of the health system, it is vital we keep our hospitals running while at the same time building a national service that focuses on keeping people well so most don’t have to go to hospital,” he said. “This announcement today – on top of the nearly $350 million of Crown funding we’ve already announced for an investment package at Waitematā District Health Board – shows that’s what we’re doing.”