Te Whare Awhiora to be completed by end of 2024

A computer-generated image of what the new Whare Awhiora mental health facility will look like when finished. Image supplied

A long-awaited regional drug and mental health treatment facility is expected to be completed by the end of next year, Te Whatu Ora says.

The $23.7 million facility — Te Whare Awhiora — was one of five projects funded out of Budget 2019’s $1.9 billion investment into mental wellbeing.

A spokesman for Te Whatu Ora confirmed the floor slab had been laid and most of the structural steel was in place.

“The concrete floor for the roof space plant room has been poured. The pre-nailed framing is now being put in place.

“The roof cladding is scheduled to start arriving from late September.

“The project is expected to achieve Practical Completion in Quarter 4 2024, before later becoming operational.”

The facility was first promised by then Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern four years ago.

Groundworks for the facility at Gisborne Hospital finally started earlier this year, with then Health Minister Andrew Little turning the first sod on March 21.

Construction was delayed due to Cyclone Gabrielle and heavy rainfall, which resulted in soil contamination at the site.