The new hospital, the biggest such building in New Zealand history in terms of cost and complexity, will cost more than $1.4billion before it is finally open in 2028.
Mr Little said yesterday that the Government still did not have a firm idea of what the final cost would be, but it was committed to seeing the building through.
"It is long-awaited and the condition of the current Dunedin Hospital means it is overdue for refurbishment and replacement.
"The building will meet the needs of the population it needs to serve, but we don’t know the final price of it yet."
In November, the Government announced it would seek fast-track consent for the hospital building, just days after receiving consent to demolish the former Cadbury’s building, where one of the new hospital’s two buildings will stand.
"We will have a hospital which will reflect future needs and the way that people will in the future gain access to services that are typically at a hospital," Mr Little said.
"A lot more can be done now remotely, and I think that is shaping the thinking about the final design of the building."
