Health New Zealand strengthens backup power resilience through independent reviews

SECTOR UPDATE - Health New Zealand Interim National Director Infrastructure David Warburton

Health New Zealand is taking action to improve the resilience of its emergency power systems to ensure critical services continue safely and reliably during power outages. 

As part of this work, Health NZ is releasing three independent reports that establish a comprehensive picture of hospital backup power capability. The reviews confirm that while backup power systems across Health NZ are operational, there are opportunities to enhance resilience and national consistency. 

Patient and staff safety remain our top priority. The reviews identify infrastructure challenges that have developed over many years. We accept the findings and are implementing all recommendations. 

This work will support a multi-year programme of remediation, replacement and asset management for critical infrastructure and will help Health NZ take a coordinated approach to managing and reducing system-wide risks. 

The first review investigated a power outage at Nelson Hospital in October 2025, which prompted a national review of hospital generators. We commissioned a further national review of large uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems after a UPS malfunction at Christchurch Hospital in January 2026. These systems provide interim backup power to critical systems while generators are starting. 

The 11 recommendations from the Nelson Hospital power outage review are complete. All 12 immediate recommendations from the generator review have also been completed. This generator work included prioritising the remediation of higher-risk generators, controls and fuel systems, strengthening risk management, standardising testing and reporting, and assessing UPS systems, among other actions. Higher-risk generators identified in the review are being actively managed, with contingency plans in place where necessary until permanent solutions are implemented. Work is now underway to complete the generator review’s 12 mid-term recommendations by June 2027, with longer-term recommendations to follow. 

The UPS review assessed 182 large UPS systems across the country. The recommendations focus on addressing higher-risk UPS systems, strengthening national maintenance and fire safety standards, and improving oversight, performance, and resilience. Approximately $4.9 million has been allocated through Health NZ’s national remediation programme to replace the 84 UPS systems and batteries identified as priorities for renewal. 

The national reviews have also prompted a broader independent assessment of utilities and site infrastructure, which will examine critical services such as power, water, and fuel supplies. The assessment is underway and is expected to be completed by 30 June 2027. 

Together, the reviews represent an important milestone in Health NZ’s long-term programme of work to strengthen the reliability of backup power systems across our hospitals.

Source: Health New Zealand Interim National Director Infrastructure David Warburton media release

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