The health board - which released the figure under the Official Information Act - this month restructured its planning and funding, and business departments.
The changes mean business analysts take some planning and funding responsibilities, resulting in 6.5-6.8 fewer full-time equivalent jobs in those departments.
Planning and funding was also centralised, in Dunedin.
A document released last month by the Public Service Association revealed that submitters' overriding concern was combining business analyst roles with planning and funding.
It was felt mixing the roles could compromise the independence of the planning and funding department.
Yesterday, SDHB funding and finance general manager Robert Mackway-Jones said the savings figure was estimated and could vary "slightly" because recruitment for new roles was still taking place.
Mr Mackway-Jones said the savings contributed to the reduction of the board's deficit forecast, which was now $14.9 million.
The board had to resubmit its budget - for which it is awaiting approval - because Health Minister Tony Ryall refused to approve an $18.4 million budget deficit.
