Cancer Society reveals plans for $30m patient lodge near Tauranga Hospital
April 16, 2026
The 40-room lodge will offer free accommodation, meals and transport to Tauranga Hospital.
The Cancer Society has unveiled plans for a new $30 million patient accommodation facility near Tauranga Hospital, a move aimed at transforming cancer care in the Bay of Plenty region. The proposed 40-room lodge will provide free lodging, meals, and transportation to appointments for cancer patients who must travel to Tauranga for treatment. This initiative addresses the significant financial and logistical burdens faced by patients, particularly those from the Eastern Bay of Plenty who sometimes compromise on their treatment due to the challenges of travel.
For years, the Waikato/Bay of Plenty division of the Cancer Society has envisioned a Tauranga-based facility to complement its existing Lions Lodge in Hamilton. That vision is now becoming a tangible project, spurred by a cornerstone $5 million donation from the Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust (TECT). This foundational grant, combined with an additional $5 million raised through community support, means a third of the total project cost has already been secured. The momentum marks a significant shift for a project that previously faced hurdles in finding a suitable location.
The need for such a facility is underscored by the experiences of patients like Kawerau resident Julie Kelly, who underwent six-and-a-half weeks of daily radiation in Tauranga in 2024. While the Cancer Society and the National Travel Assistance Scheme provided support for meals and motel accommodation, the new lodge aims to offer a more comprehensive and supportive "home away from home" environment. The planned lodge will be located just five minutes from the hospital, easing the stress on patients and their families during what is already a physically and emotionally challenging time.
With a third of the funding secured, the immediate focus for the Cancer Society is to raise the remaining $20 million. The organization is appealing to community partners and philanthropists to help close the funding gap. The ambitious goal is to complete fundraising this year, with the aim of commencing construction in early 2027. The construction phase is anticipated to last between 18 months and two years, bringing the much-needed facility to operation as soon as possible for the families who need it today.
The development of the Tauranga lodge follows the successful model of the Cancer Society's Lions Lodge in Hamilton, which provides a similar range of free services and support to hundreds of people annually. These services include not only practical assistance but also emotional support through access to counselling and support groups. The new lodge in Tauranga is expected to have a similarly profound impact, ensuring that geographical distance does not become a barrier to receiving life-saving cancer treatment for residents across the Bay of Plenty.
Source: nzherald