It will be many months before any tenders for construction work on the new hospital are let, but the Ministry of Health has this week held "market sounding" meetings in Dunedin and now in Australia.
Market sounding is intended to establish well before building begins what firms might tender for work, and that firms are available to fulfil all necessary specialist contracts.
Ministry deputy director general of DHB performance, support and infrastructure Michelle Arrowsmith said the Sydney meeting went very well and was a worthwhile trip.
"We had a really positive meeting with a number of people from some of the well-established large construction companies, who have considerable experience building hospitals."
Ministry officials had been asked several helpful questions and also received many useful suggestions, especially around incorporating new electronic technology into the building and accommodating changing models of care for patients.
"It was really positive to hear them say that they're keen on partnering with New Zealand companies and learning more about the construction sector in New Zealand."
The committee steering the hospital project has been adamant it wants to include as many Dunedin and New Zealand firms in the project as possible, but has also warned that the scale of the buildings - particularly the main hospital block - means an overseas firm may end up winning the main construction contract.
However, the Government has stipulated that whichever contractors secure work on the project must have an office in either Dunedin or Christchurch.
"We're taking an improved approach, holding discussions at an early stage with the construction sector to get their input," Ms Arrowsmith said.
"We want to work collaboratively with the sector to successfully deliver the largest-ever hospital built in New Zealand."
The Government has already bought several sections in the Wilson car park block, as well as the former Cadbury factory, for the project.
Ms Arrowsmith said there was no update on further land acquisitions at this stage, but the hospital project team was making good progress with its concept design.
