Protesters say the lower South Island will pay for any cuts made to the new Dunedin Hospital. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
An estimated 35,000 people protested against possible cuts to Dunedin Hospital, police say.
Ministers announced on Thursday the planned redevelopment would either need to be reduced, or done in stages after budget blowouts.
Meanwhile, about 1000 people took to the streets of Westport on the West Coast in a silent protest over the state of the health system.
Catch up with what happened with RNZ's live blog: