New Zealand’s healthcare system is one of the best in the World offering its residents free or low-cost services thanks to heavy Government subsidies.
New Zealand has a hybrid healthcare system, with public and private healthcare schemes. Public healthcare is subsidized by the New Zealand Government, while private providers charge service fees.
Healthcare is free if you are a New Zealand citizen, a resident, or hold a working visa for two years and more. Most New Zealanders choose public healthcare as it is exceptionally comprehensive and affordable. If you hold a working visa for under two years, it is recommended you organise health insurance before moving to New Zealand.
Public healthcare
Public healthcare is free of charge across New Zealand if you are a citizen, permanent resident, or hold a visa of two years. Individuals living in New Zealand seeking treatment will generally meet most of the requirements in receiving free treatment in public hospitals, subsidies on prescriptions, and a wide variety of disability support services.
Public healthcare also covers maternity including the duration of pregnancy and up to six weeks after giving birth. Basic dental care is always accessible for children from birth until they turn 18 years old. Only dental care and optometry for adults are not covered by public healthcare.
Click the link below to find the closest public hospital in your area.
Find the closest public hospital
Private healthcare
Approximately one-third of New Zealanders have private healthcare insurance. It is entirely optional to take medical insurance for private healthcare and is often used to cover cost-sharing requirements, specialist outpatient consultations, and elective surgery in private hospitals. However, private health insurance is an excellent option to subsidise medical costs and accelerate treatment.
Click the link below to know more about New Zealand’s healthcare system, what they offer in detail, and how to get the care required.
Private healthcare insurance providers
Private health insurance can help you cover the costs of appointments and put you on a shorter waiting list. Below are a few private healthcare insurance providers used by New Zealanders.
Southern Cross Health Society
The Southern Cross Health Society is a not-for-profit organisation offering various health insurance plans catering to multiple circumstances. They offer day-to-day, comprehensive, or premium plans and two shared covered plans. A shared cover indicates that the insurance company will pay toward your healthcare costs but ensure that you pay the remainder. Your plans can be easily managed online, claims can be made easily, and your third child will always have free coverage.
Click on the link below to see what plan will suit you best.
Compare health insurance plans | Southern Cross NZ
AIA
AIA breaks their health insurance policies into two groups – private health cover and private health plus. The private health plus only covers surgical and hospital expenses. In contrast, the private health product includes specialist appointments and diagnostic imaging. If you have children, you can sign them up as soon as they are born, and if there are any improvements to policies, AIA will make sure they automatically update for you.
Click on the link below for a full description of each plan covered by AIA.
AA Health Insurance
Members of AA Health Insurance are offered three plans: the health everyday plan, private hospital, and the private hospital and specialist treatment plan. The health everyday plan covers GP appointments, physio, optometry, and dentistry. Surgery and treatments in private hospitals are covered by low or high premium options based on the private hospital plan. At the same time, the private hospital and specialist plan covers individuals for specialist consultations, surgery, and diagnostics with low excess policy options. One of the benefits is that the company will always give a 5% discount to all existing members.
Click the link below to learn more about AA Health Insurance plans.
Healthcare in New Zealand for non-residents
Healthcare in New Zealand for non-residents is free to an extent. You are only eligible for free healthcare if your workplace allows you to live in New Zealand for at least two years. If you obtain a work visa after spending time in New Zealand, you can combine those times and receive public healthcare for free if it is over two years.
Hence, non-residents only benefit from healthcare services but at a cost. So, it is recommended that you have medical insurance from your hometown before coming to New Zealand.
Click the link below to check if you and your family are eligible for publicly funded healthcare.
Guide to eligibility for publicly funded health services | Ministry of Health NZ
Types of healthcare services
Finding a General Practitioner (GP doctor)
A general practitioner (GP) is a fully trained medical doctor who gives patients medical advice and refers them to specialists if treatment is required. Enrolling your family and yourself with a medical centre is much cheaper, as they generally subsidise charges when seeing a GP. However, checking fees before registering is still recommended as centres charge different rates.
You can also use this link below to help you search for your local GP. The link will also tell you if they accept enrolments as not all medical centres accept new patients. Keep in mind that practices usually prioritise those enrolling who live in the catchment area.
If you would like advice on how to choose a GP and information on fees, click the link below.
Visiting a doctor or nurse | Ministry of Health NZ
Many migrants coming to New Zealand forget to bring their medical records with them. We strongly advise you to bring copies of your medical records when relocating.
Emergency
If a medical emergency arises, the number to call is 111. You could also visit the 24-hour emergency department at the nearest hospital, where health care professionals assess patients with injuries or illnesses. It is recommended only to see the emergency department if serious and arrange a family doctor if possible.
If you are unsure whether to visit the emergency department, view the link below.
When to visit an emergency department | Ministry of Health NZ
New Zealand has pharmacies in every city and town if you need medication immediately. This is where you can purchase over-the-counter medication such as painkillers, cold and flu medicine, and other illnesses. For certain medications, some may need a prescription from a GP.
If you need advice and do not plan to see a GP, you are welcome to call New Zealand’s Healthline. This free telephone consultation service allows you to talk to a registered nurse. The number for Healthline is 0800 611 116. This line is available 24/7, seven days a week, and with any language support if required.
Medical specialists
If you need to see a medical specialist, you will need a referral from your General Practitioner first. All different specialists can be found and are scattered between private and public healthcare systems. Remember, they will charge a fee unless your private health insurance can cover it.
Click on the link below to find private hospitals and specialists.
Find Private Hospitals and Specialists
Child health
All children in New Zealand qualify for a free health service, and this gives children a variety of health checks, support, and advice for new parents. When you become a new parent, a midwife will get you started on the program and guide you.
The free support services for parents and children up to five include home clinic visits, free health and development checks, a 24/7 parenting helpline, and a range of other local services. This is run by PlunketLine, the most extensive support service and charity organisation supporting children’s health and wellbeing. You can call the line at 0800 933 922 if you have any concerns or questions.
All children under the age of 14 can receive free medical treatment up to an extent. These generally include immunisations against diseases, hearing checks, regular eyesight checks, and GP appointments. However, always check whether GP consultations are free of charge, as not all family medical clinics provide free visits.
Zero fees for under-14s | Ministry of Health NZ
Elderly care
Elderly care is exceptionally high quality in New Zealand and offers a wide range of services, including home care, social support, retirement villages, rest homes, and financial support. The senior line is a national information service that assists the elderly in making effective decisions about staying at home, residential care, and career support. You can also call them at 0800 725 463 if you want to talk to them about elderly care directly.
If you want to know more about New Zealand’s elderly service, click on the link below to take you to the senior line page.
Home | Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland
Accidents – ‘no-fault scheme’
Whether you are a tourist, resident, or visitor in New Zealand, public health insurance covers all types of accidents you have. You will not need to worry about whether you have any insurance in New Zealand or not, as no one is left untreated if an accident occurs.
The New Zealand Government has a ‘no-fault insurance scheme’ known as Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). This scheme applies if an accidental injury has occurred. Financial costs will be provided to you to help cover medical treatment, bills, help with home duties, and your income. Furthermore, it also covers children, students, the unemployed, and retirees.
Claims can be ensured for up to 12 months after your injury. You will need to fill out a form to submit to the ACC so they can cover the entire cost of your care. Before your injury has been covered, a diagnosis from a healthcare provider is required. Afterwards, the healthcare professional will submit the claim.
Remember that co-payment may apply if treatment costs are above what is covered by the ACC. When you go in for a consultation, you still may need to pay for the visit, so always let the receptionist and doctor know that your situation was accident related to receive a lower consultation cost.
Injuries the no-fault insurance scheme covers are:
- Physical injuries
- Dislocations
- Sprains/fractures
- Wounds
- Burn wounds
- Hearing loss
- Concussion/loss of consciousness
- Injuries caused by medical treatment
- The treatment caused more injury
- Irregular side-effects to your treatment
- Conditions that came from work
- Muscle pain or tendonitis from overuse of heavy lifting
- Deafness caused by regular noises at work
- Infections/diseases from exposure to specific situations
- Disabilities
- Cover injuries where long-term effects and disabilities are caused, including traumatic brain or spinal injuries
- Mental injuries
- Mental health sickness resulted from an injury, e.g. caused by physical assault/abuse
- Mental health injury caused by medical treatment
- If you have experienced or seen a traumatic event, e.g. robbery, car crash
- Dental injuries caused by accidents, sports accidents, or dental treatment
- Accidents that cause death (financial help will be provided)
- An accident that took place in New Zealand
- Disease and infections
- A treatment injury that New Zealand was covering
Injuries the no-fault insurance scheme does NOT cover are…
- Contagious diseases, Illnesses, sickness
- Emotional issues and stress (unless linked to an injury that occurred in New Zealand)
- Damage to items that do not replace body parts, e.g. glasses and hearing aids
- Unexplained back pain that worsens over time
- Skin burns from the weather in New Zealand
- If you have appendicitis and need emergency care, immediately
If you are unsure whether you are eligible for the no-fault scheme by the Accident Compensation Corporation, talk to a healthcare professional. They will be able to tell you whether you can be covered for the injury.
Click the link below to see a detailed description.
Accident Compensation Corporation
Last Updated: March 2023
