A new cardiac catheterisation lab, is set to support cardiac care across the central North Island

The lab replaces Tauranga Hospital's original suite, which had reached the end of its clinical life after delivering more than 1,200 procedures annually since opening in 2017.

Two state-of-the-art cath labs are now operational at the hospital.

Health Minister Simeon Brown, says it's a major step forward for patients in the Bay of Plenty and surrounding communities by having the ability to get more cardiac care, closer to home.