CIMIC Group’s construction company Leighton Contractors has secured a $NZ300m ($204m) contract from New Zealand’s Ministry of Health to build Christchurch Hospital’s new acute services building.

Leighton was selected over three other bidders in the tender process for the project, with work expected to start in January next year.

Under a separate contract, the foundations for the building have already been completed.

Christchurch Hospital Redevelopment Partnership Group chairman Evan Davies said: "Leighton Contractors were selected after a robust tender process.

"The new acute services building will house operating theatres, intensive care, radiology, acute medical assessment, and an expanded emergency department."

"All of the applicants were evaluated on the quality of their previous projects, the skill and relevant experience of their staff, and their cost effectiveness.

"The awarding of this contract is a major milestone for the project. When put alongside the work at Burwood Hospital, it amounts to New Zealand’s largest ever hospital redevelopment, as well as the biggest government project in the Christchurch rebuild."

Following completion of the construction in mid-2018, the new acute services building will house operating theatres, intensive care, radiology, acute medical assessment, and an expanded emergency department.

The new theatres will allow the Canterbury District Health Board (DHB) to perform an additional 6,000 surgeries a year and inpatient ward blocks over six floors will provide about 400 beds.

Leighton Contractors operates in Australia, Asia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea with about 24,600 people, delivering and supporting around 160 projects.