DHL Supply Chain New Zealand has opened a new Life Sciences and Healthcare (LSHC) logistics facility on Te Kapua Drive in Auckland.
The 14,100 square metre site increases DHL’s national healthcare logistics capacity by 20 per cent and introduces direct-to-patient and direct-to-pharmacy distribution models.
The facility is part of DHL’s global Health Logistics network and will support customers across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, veterinary products, and consumer health. Around 80 staff will be based on site, including New Zealand’s largest health logistics Quality Assurance team and specialists in data analysis, mechatronics, and robotics.
Javier Bilbao, CEO of DHL Supply Chain Asia Pacific, said the site enhances the company’s ability to distribute medicines and healthcare products “efficiently, safely and sustainably” throughout New Zealand. The investment aligns with DHL’s Strategy 2030, aimed at integrating healthcare supply chains through a fully managed, end-to-end model.
Automation plays a key role at the Te Kapua site, which includes 41 Geek+ robots – installed by local automation integrator Automate-X – alongside 12,000 temperature-controlled pallet spaces, humidity-controlled zones, and storage for dangerous goods.
Certified with a Five Green Star rating, the building uses 100 per cent renewable electricity, LED lighting, rainwater reuse, and energy-efficient HVAC systems. DHL’s reusable Cool Green Cell packaging also helps reduce transport waste for temperature-controlled goods.
The Te Kapua facility forms part of DHL Group’s A$825 million regional investment to expand life sciences and healthcare logistics across Asia Pacific by 2030.
