Both money and staffing issues appear to be behind a new surgical centre sitting empty at Auckland's North Shore Hospital.  

It was originally set to open this month but is now slated to begin a phased opening from mid-year. 

Health NZ says when it took over it was unclear if it'd be ready, so they opted to continuing delivering planned care elsewhere to ensure they meet targets. 

Nurses' Society National Director David Wills told Mike Hosking that the change in government hasn't helped in securing funding.  

He says you obviously have to have the money finalised in order to be able to then commission and recruit. 

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