The region’s construction sector turned out in force for the Cranford Hospice tender briefing. That says plenty about a hungry market, and about a project people really want to be part of.
There weren’t many spare seats at Foodeast Haumako on Thursday. More than 100 main contractor representatives, subcontractors, suppliers and others hoping for a slice of one of the region’s most significant community builds filled the room for the Cranford Hospice new build tender presentation.
Local firms were out in strength, joined by several out-of-town operators sizing up the opportunity. That’s a clear sign of how hungry the construction sector is. After a long stretch of soft conditions, with pipelines thinning and commercial projects deferred, a well-planned build with a committed client is exactly what the industry has been waiting for.
But it would be too cynical to put it all down to a quiet market. Most Hawke’s Bay families have either been cared for by Cranford or know someone who has, and there’s a real appetite to help build its future.
Outgrowing the old home
Andrew Lesperance, chief executive of Cranford Hospice, made the case plainly. “We’ve been around 44 years. That means in 44 years we’ve had the same size building, but we have a few more patients than we used to.”
Last year 1,324 people needed ongoing specialist palliative care, 91 more than the year before. The team made 40,377 contacts and admits 48 new families every month. Its inpatient unit has just six beds. Demand is expected to rise by up to 38 percent over the next 20 years, with more patients also living with illnesses such as dementia.
“Every single one of us in this room is getting older,” Andrew said. “There’s a big baby boom coming, so we’re going to need capacity to deal with more people.”
The new home will open with 10 larger patient rooms, all with ensuites, and is designed to grow to 12 or more. It adds whānau rooms, space for outpatient and day consultations, and more room for the community nursing team that cares for 95 percent of patients in their own homes. “We want to have a bedroom that actually allows the child to stay with mum who’s dying,” Andrew said.
The long road to Havelock Road
Andrea Jopling, chair of the Cranford Hospice Trust, explained how the hospice got here. The original plan at Chesterhope was paused after Cyclone Gabrielle and later dropped following consultation with the community and staff. It took two years to find an alternative: a 1.1 hectare former market garden between Havelock Road and Masters Crescent in Hastings, backing onto Parkvale School. Resource consent was granted in April and the purchase completed.
“We are aiming to be in the building by the end of 2028,” Andrea said. “So we want to get cracking as early as we can next year.”
Chris Ainsworth of DesignGroup Stapleton Elliott took the room through the plans. The single-storey design follows a “home, not a hospital” philosophy, with the building wrapping around its occupants like a cloak.
Indicative programme
- 6 November 2026: Expressions of interest due to Kensway
- 23 November 2026: Registration of Interest closes at 4pm
- 7 December 2026: Five main contractors selected
- 8 December 2026: Tender package issued to selected contractors
- 12 February 2027: Tenders close
- 26 February 2027: Main contractor selected and recommended
- April 2027: Construction starts, subject to building consent
- December 2028: The new home opens
More than a price
Cranford Hospice has raised $20.55 million toward the project. That’s a remarkable effort from a community that kept giving through cyclone recovery and a cost-of-living squeeze. But with a target of $24 million, there’s still a gap to close.
So the room was asked to think beyond the tender price. Gifts in kind are warmly welcomed, whether they come from contractors directly or through their merchants, suppliers and subcontractors, and the foundation will recognise every contribution.
The tender will be won on price and capability, as it should be. But the businesses that leave the biggest mark may well be the ones that bring something extra to the table.
