The Northland DHB says a new Family Health Centre is overdue in the mid north.

The DHB and the Bay Of Island's Iwi plan to work together to build a new family health centre at the Bay of Islands hospital.

Following decisions to upgrade the hospital, the DHB has also announced they will partner up with the Ngati Hine Health Trust in the development of a new Whanau Ora Centre.

The DHB's General Manager for District Hospitals Sam Bartum says it will be open to everyone but will have a main focus on health promotion for the Maori community.

"We've got an ageing population for a start, we've got a poor community, we've got issues for travel."

Bartum acknowledges the focus of Maori health promotion is much needed in the area.

"We need to lift the health of all of our Maori population to ensure that they are at least as healthy as non-Maori...this is one project that will assist and help to do that."

Construction on the centre is planned to start in October and is hoped to be completed by mid next year.