History and heritage

Southern Cross Healthcare history and heritage

2021

In partnership with Central Lakes Trust, Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital officially opened in December 2021 and its first patients were welcomed in early 2022.

2020

Southern Cross hospitals changes its name to Southern Cross Healthcare. This change reflects a new strategic direction; to extend the service offering beyond hospitals, to reach more Kiwis and deliver even stronger health outcomes. Now, through joint venture partnerships, the organisation becomes New Zealand’s largest independent healthcare network; offering a nationwide family of hospitals, community based physiotherapy and rehabilitation services, and workplace health and wellness providers.

Acquisition of a stake in EAPworks. Southern Cross Healthcare acquires a stake in EAPworks, a leading New Zealand owned and operated mental health and wellness provider for businesses. EAPworks was rebranded to Raise in 2021.

2019

Development of a hospital in Queenstown commences. Southern Cross Hospital partners with Central Lakes Trust to begin development of a surgical hospital in Queenstown.

Partnership in North Shore Surgical Centre (Auckland). In Auckland, a new Southern Cross Hospitals joint venture partnership with a group of leading orthopaedic specialists, North Shore Surgical Centre, opens in Auckland.

Acquisition of a stake in Active+. Southern Cross Rehabilitation, a subsidiary of Southern Cross Hospitals, acquires a stake in North Island health business Active+.

2018

Partnership in The Rutherford Clinic (Wellington). Southern Cross Hospitals joins forces with a group of specialists to build a new endoscopy unit in the Wellington Region. The Rutherford Clinic services the Hutt Valley, Wairarapa and Kapiti Coast.

Acquisition of a stake in Medpro Southern Cross Hospitals joint venture partnership with workplace healthcare provider, Medpro is established.

2016

Acquisition of a stake in TBI Health. Southern Cross Hospitals forms a joint venture partnership with TBI Health, a specialist in injury management and rehabilitation services.

2010

Partnership in Southern Endoscopy (Christchurch). Southern Endoscopy Centre, a joint venture with medical specialists, opened for business on Southern Cross’ Christchurch hospital campus.

2007

Partnership in Ormiston Hospital (Manukau, Auckland). Ormiston Hospital, a new private hospital development is built in South East Auckland, representing the first such facility in that area.

2005

Auckland Surgical Centre purchased. Auckland Surgical Centre, a successful purpose-built day stay hospital is purchased by Southern Cross Hospitals and added to its Auckland region service network.

2001

Partnership in Gilles Avenue Hospital (Auckland). The Gillies Hospital (based on Gilles Avenue in Auckland) joint venture is formed. Run as a very successful partnership, it became a wholly-owned Southern Cross hospital in 2014, renowned as a centre of expertise for head and neck, ENT surgery.

2000

Southern Cross Brightside hospital refurbished (Auckland). Brightside’s high tech hospital is re-opened on the Epsom site, representing a very modern surgical facility in the centre of Auckland.

1992

Development projects in Napier, Invercargill and Wanganui progress

1988

Southern Cross Wellington hospital. Land purchased in Wellington saw the first step to a hospital development there. Our hospital in the capital has developed into a large private hospital and specialist centre.

1986

Development of Southern Cross North Harbour Hospital (Auckland) commences. Land purchased on Auckland’s North Shore represented the first step to a future hospital development on Wairau Road. More recent land acquisitions and ongoing developments mean our North Harbour site represents a major private health campus.

1984

Hospital in New Plymouth acquired. The Iona Trust Hospital in New Plymouth is acquired, beginning a journey to a modern private hospital in the Taranaki region.

1983

Development of hospitals in Tauranga and Rotorua commence. Investments in land and building projects in Tauranga and agreement to purchase of St Andrews Hospital in Rotorua signalled the first steps to development of more hospital facilities across New Zealand.

Southern Cross Tauranga merged with the Norfolk Community Trust to form a joint venture in 2001, and then in 2007, the combined business moved to a new site in Oropi - known now as Grace Hospital.

Southern Cross Rotorua merged with QE Hospital in 2007. This partnership saw the successful development of a significantly improved private hospital facility in 2009, which is now a wholly owned Southern Cross hospital, after further developments during in 2012.

1982

Hospital facility in Palmerston North. Northcote Hospital in Palmerston North is transferred to the Southern Cross Hospital Trust, this hospital merged with Aorangi hospital in 2012 and shortly afterwards, in 2013, it becomes known as Crest Hospital.

1981

Hospital facility in Christchurch. A Christchurch hospital in Bealey Avenue is added to Southern Cross’ portfolio of properties. With significant developments starting in the late 1990’s, Christchurch has grown to become a very sophisticated private hospital and specialist centre and now represents our largest campus in the country.

1979

Southern Cross Hospital purchases first hospital. Southern Cross Hospitals is established as the assets and land of first hospital, the Lavington Hospital in Auckland, are acquired.

1977

Southern Cross Trust is formed. Southern Cross directors form a separate trust capable of managing and operating any hospital that might approach them for finance and management expertise. The new Southern Cross Hospital Trust (later renamed Southern Cross Health Trust) is registered in 1977.

During the 1970s, rapid growth put pressure on private hospitals - not just for beds, but for theatre facilities and improved quality of equipment and sophisticated care. Southern Cross directors have always taken this matter very seriously - based on a commitment not just to quality, but also availability too. Private hospital patients clearly expected no waiting.

1960s

Health insurance drives the need for private hospitals. During the 1960s, when the growth of Southern Cross’s insurance business is modest, there is ample spare capacity in private hospitals. The development of health insurance in New Zealand effectively transforms the private hospital environment.