Carter this week told the Bay of Plenty Times the project had gone from \u201ca long-held vision to a real and achievable goal and momentum\u201d.<\/p>\n
She said the Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust (TECT) had provided the Cancer Society with a $5m \u201cfoundational donation\u201d, which had been \u201cthe catalyst\u201d for the project\u2019s momentum.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have enabled us to send a very strong signal which is real, urgent, ready and they\u2019ve really unlocked this project to move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carter said community support had also raised $5m.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a $30m project, and we\u2019ve now got a third of that … \u201d<\/p>\n
Carter said the site was \u201cfive minutes from the hospital\u201d and looked forward to announcing the location after settlement.<\/p>\n
The priority was now raising the $20m balance, and Carter urged community partners and philanthropists \u201cto help us complete this project\u201d.<\/p>\n
Her goal was to raise the balance this year and start construction early next year.<\/p>\n
The build was estimated to take between 18 months and two years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe clock is ticking … the families need it today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carter said a cancer diagnosis was a \u201crelentless, unfolding pathway of physical, emotional, financial challenges\u201d.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/FZIVC47JMNELDGNHNL3A3SXCQM.jpg\")
\nThe Lions Cancer Lodge in Hamilton provides an example of what the Tauranga Lodge could resemble. Photo \/ Stephen Barker<\/p>\n
\u201cBehind every appointment and every mile travelled is a person and their wh\u0101nau fighting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carter said the facility would \u201ctransform cancer care for the Bay\u201d.<\/p>\n
She said global research showed patient outcomes deteriorated the further they lived beyond 30 minutes from a treatment centre.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will make a huge difference to people and their wellbeing and their opportunity to not just survive cancer treatment but for us to support people to do as well as they possibly can …<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to ensure that everyone facing cancer in the Bay of Plenty can access treatment, is surrounded by support and is not alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/EB2K2JJN3FEQ5A72EG5MSZG3EA.jpg\")
\nThe site earmarked for the lodge is near Tauranga Hospital. Photo \/ NZME<\/p>\n
The facility would also benefit Rotorua cancer patients, particularly men receiving prostate cancer treatment in Tauranga.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor many men, it\u2019s every day for many weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lodge plan \u2018wonderful\u2019 – patient<\/p>\n
Kawerau resident Julie Kelly said plans for the lodge were \u201cabsolutely wonderful\u201d.<\/p>\n
She had six-and-a-half weeks of daily radiation for rectal cancer in 2024 in Tauranga.<\/p>\n
The Cancer Society provided meals and hospital transport, while Health NZ\u2019s National Travel Assistance Scheme paid for a motel in Greerton.<\/p>\n
The 63-year-old said she would not have been able to travel after treatment and was \u201cgrateful\u201d she could stay in Tauranga.<\/p>\n
Even putting the fuel crisis aside, \u201dnot everyone has the money to travel all the time to go back and forth”.<\/p>\n
Kelly said she would like to organise a fundraiser for the lodge, \u201cbecause every second person in Kawerau or Whakat\u0101ne has had to go to Tauranga for treatment or surgery or whatever\u201d.<\/p>\n
She had since returned to work and was \u201cdoing okay now\u201d.<\/p>\n
A TECT statement on April 1 confirmed its $5m funding for a new cancer lodge in Tauranga.<\/p>\n
This followed support for the project during community consultation on TECT\u2019s 2026\/27 funding plans.<\/p>\n
TECT chairman Mark Arundel said feedback showed strong support for the overall direction of TECT\u2019s plan, particularly the need to address \u201clongstanding gaps\u201d in community facility infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Submissions supporting TECT funding the lodge said the facility would provide important support for patients having cancer treatment and benefit families in stressful situations.<\/p>\n
Submissions arguing against the funding said it was \u201cencroaching\u201d on central government responsibilities, and the Cancer Society should fund the lodge.<\/p>\n