Positive investment returns over a long period of time have enabled the Trust to invest in areas that have a social impact for our Central Lakes community. We have a percentage of funds invested in social impact investments; which in addition to a rate of return offer significant benefit to our community. One of which is, Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital.

The hospital, which includes three operating theatres and 13 private inpatient rooms, each with their own ensuite, is a fifty-fifty joint venture between Southern Cross Hospitals Ltd and CLT. It opened in December 2021, in Kawarau Park, Lake Hayes Estate, and the Southern DHB commenced public procedures in January 2022. The SDHB has contracted the hospital to undertake various elective surgical procedures, including a regular weekly operating list for acute orthopaedic procedures which will save patients the need to travel to Invercargill for treatment.

This new hospital allows the provision of services to our Queenstown and Central Lakes population relieving the existing pressure on our services in Invercargill and Dunedin, offering less travel and family inconvenience for those requiring surgery.

It was important for CLT that this hospital was accessible not only to those with health insurance, but also ACC patients, DHB patients – in fact, the whole community.

Central Lakes Trust CEO Susan Finlay said opening the hospital is a huge milestone for the community.

“It has been a privilege to be in a joint venture with Southern Cross Healthcare. We know that Southern Cross Healthcare are experts in their service delivery model and this new hospital will complement the existing Queenstown Lakes Hospital and Southern DHB services; a partnership critical to ensuring the public/private benefit from the hospital and providing real tangible results for our wider Central Lakes community,” she said.

The Trust continues to proactively seek these social impact investment opportunities.