New maternity wing at Whangarei Hospital built by Canam Construction

The new two-storey birthing facility at Whangarei Hospital was undertaken by Canam Construction, who also managed the many subcontractors

:The maternity wing at Whangarei Hospital required a clinic, floor, hospital, institution, interior design, product design, room, white — :The maternity wing at Whangarei Hospital required a specialist construction skill set and Canam delivered.

:This new maternity wing built and project-managed floor, product design, gray

Canam Construction undertook several aspects of the new floor, flooring, interior design, lobby, office, gray

Some constructors bring much more to a job than their diverse skill sets, also project-managing the various other subcontractors involved. Such was the case with this vital public-sector project. For the multifaceted upgrade and expansion for Whangarei Hospital, Canam Construction hit the ground running. Tendered for and won in 2013, Canam's initial piling works began in March 2014 and by February 2016 the job was completed.

The project incorporated two major elements, says Canam's managing director Loukas Petrou.

"First, construction of a 2200m² new maternity wing (Te Kotuku) designed with the ability to have two additional floors added. One of these floors was approved to proceed during construction.

:This new maternity wing built and project-managed by floor, product design, gray — :This new maternity wing built and project-managed by Canam Construction includes a variety of design elements.

"Second, the infrastructure project including the installation of new chillers, boilers, medical gases plant and associated pipework to feed both the new Maternity wing and ultimately connect to the existing hospital infrastructure. This work included the seismic upgrade of the existing boiler house."

Canam engaged and worked closely with a number of local Northland subcontractors and suppliers to deliver the project. Together they provided valuable constructability input and advice to assist the design team with solutions that provided cost- and time-effective for the client. This included major input around the centralisation of the medical gases plant, and structural options for the additional floor which was instructed just as the 1st phase of the maternity project was near completion.

The ward replaces 40-year-old existing facilities and includes six birthing rooms with ensuites, 18 in-patient beds, and four antenatal clinic rooms.