District health boards in Auckland and Northland are planning to merge back-office and administrative roles in a bid to save money.
The DHBs say the efficiencies gained from such a move would save at least $30 million over five years.
Involved in the planned merger of non-clinical functions are Auckland, Counties Manukau, Waitemata and Northland DHBs.
Back-office functions include accounts and finance, purchasing information and other services - areas where up to 450 people are currently employed across the four DHBs.
Purchasing items as bandages, clinical products and telecommunications costs the DHBs $400 million a year.
The district health boards say efficiencies gained from reducing duplication would free-up funding for health services.
The boards say all staff would transfer to the new agency but redundancies would be likely later.
Public consultation is being sought and a decision is expected in early November.
