Calls for more specialist nurses at Auckland's Starship Hospital, with its new paediatric ICU running at just half capacity.

The $40-million expansion opened in November and new beds were added last month to lift the capacity from 22 to 30 beds.

Starship says the upgrade was to future proof demands over the next decade, contrasting with previous statements of critical bed shortages.

Nurses' Organisation President Anne Daniels told Tim Dower the lack of nurses is the real concern here.

She says the paediatric ICU doesn't have enough nurses with the experience and skills for those beds.

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