The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), is a tertiary level (highly specialised) service accommodating five level three cots (higher level intensive care) and eleven level two cots (lower level intensive care). NICU provides care for babies born prematurely (from 23 weeks gestation) and for newborn babies to three months of age who require intensive care.

In general babies are admitted to NICU from Otago and Southland. However, when other units are at capacity, out-of-district babies may be admitted, with the reverse applying if Dunedin is at capacity.

A road and air retrieval service for babies outside of Dunedin requiring unexpected admission is provided.

To effect the safe transition from NICU to home, a homecare service is also provided.