Tauranga Hospital's acute mental health unit, Te Whare Maiangiangi, is leaking.

One of the wings of the $6.6 million, 26 bed-unit which opened in 2001, is currently being repaired.

Part of Tauranga Hospital's Mental Health Unit is leaking.

'Investigations nine months ago identified some moisture ingress in small sections of the Mental Health Unit building,” says Bay of Plenty District Health Board property services general manager Jeff Hodson.

'These areas are being addressed and the covering over the scaffolding is to permit the work to proceed during the winter season.”

Jeff says there is no risk to patients or services at this time.

'However, it is anticipated there will be some minor disruption while each of the building wings affected undergoes upgrade works.”

The leaks have caused rotting in the framework in some areas. Jeff says it won't be clear how many of the building's wings are leaking until the wall cladding is opened up.

The repairs are expected to cost about $276,000 and take a minimum of four months. The duration will depend on the weather and the extent of work identified once the wall cladding is opened up.

The new unit was built to replace the former in patient mental health unit, Ward 17.