The Southern District Health Board's exposure to the multimillion-dollar sleepover settlement is "potentially significant", finance and funding general manager Robert Mackway-Jones told board members on Thursday.
Recognition last month that care workers deserve the minimum wage rather than an allowance for sleepover shifts - to be back paid to 2005 - has raised fears the board will be liable as a funder of community care services.
It was too early in the process to put a figure on possible claims, he said.
DHBs do not fund intellectual disability services, but they do fund mental health.
Board member Richard Thomson said that, given the DHB was not an intellectual disability funder, he expected minor impacts.
In response, Mr Mackway-Jones said the DHB's financial exposure was "not minor" and was "potentially significant".
In her written report to the board, acting chief executive Lexie O'Shea said service providers had not known the extent of wage costs being incurred, so they were not recognised in DHB contracts.
"Some are indicating they may struggle to meet their share of the liability."
