Proposed New Waihī Beach Medical Centre
We’ve been asked by Primary Health Care (PHCL), a not-for-profit organisation, to lease part of Beach Road Recreation Reserve in Waihī Beach so a new medical centre can be built there for the growing needs of the community.
PHCL, part of the Pinnacle Group, is a not-for-profit primary healthcare organisation who currently run the Waihī Beach Medical Centre on Wilson Road.
At a meeting in August 2024, our Projects and Monitoring Committee agreed in principle to move this forward, but no final decision has been made yet.
Help us make the final decision by telling us what you think.
What’s being proposed?
Western Bay of Plenty District Council is seeking the communities feedback on a proposal to develop a new medical centre on a section of the Beach Road Recreation Reserve at Waihī Beach, which will be accessible from Marine Avenue.
The proposed lease is for 17 years, with an option to renew for another 15 years. The law (Reserves Act 1977) allows leases for up to 33 years in total.
PHCL has proposed leasing about 1137 m² of the reserve (only 30 percent of the total area) and is seeking Council’s support to use this land under a long-term “Community Impact Partnership Agreement. (image).
The rest of the reserve would stay as open green space for public use.
PHCL’s design includes car parks, accessways, and landscaping (you can view their site plan in the documents LINK).
The existing Waihī Beach Medical Centre at 47 Wilson Road is a privately owned rental property which is no longer fit for purpose to meet the needs of the community. After several years of exploring alternative options, PHCL has identified partnership with Council as a viable way forward to build a new medical centre.
What PHCL say the new medical centre will deliver
The new facility will:
Improve services - A larger, purpose-built facility would create the capacity for more specialist clinics, provide space for visiting consultants, and strengthen chronic condition management and urgent care services for the community. These improvements would also help attract and retain new clinicians, ensuring a wider range of care is available locally.
Support training – A dedicated space for medical students and GP registrars, helping train and attract future doctors who may stay in the community long-term. Both Dr Jenks and Dr Theunis are passionate about mentoring and training the next generation of GPs.
Prepare for emergencies – The design includes ambulance access and proximity to the helicopter landing point, supporting resilience in emergencies.
Enhance sustainability – The design includes energy- and water-efficient features, stormwater management, and landscaping with native plants.
If you’d like to find out more, check out the following documents:
What happens next?
Community consultation runs from Friday 28 November 2025 to 11:59pm, Sunday 8 February 2026.
The Reserves Act 1977 requires us to consult for a month, but we’re extending this consultation period to over two months, covering the busy summer period when lots of residents and holiday homeowners are in town.
Let us know your thoughts on the proposal before 8 February 2026 when consultation closes, by filling out the feedback form below. If you would like to speak to council in person to your feedback, please make sure you select that option in the feedback form.
We’ll then share your feedback with Councillors to help them make a final decision in March/April 2026. We’ll keep you updated.
Join the kōrero
Tell us what you think by completing the feedback form below. Alternatively.
Email: yourplace@westernbay.govt.nz to provide feedback on the proposal
In person: Come along to the drop-in session. Council staff and Primary Health Care Ltd will be there to answer questions and discuss this proposal with you. Submissions can also be completed on the day.
When: Saturday 13 December, 10:00am to 1:00pm
Where: Waihī Beach Community Center
