Overview of Healthcare in New Zealand
New Zealand has a publicly funded healthcare system. In addition, there are private hospitals and providers.
This page provides an overview of the New Zealand healthcare system and directs you to other websites for more information on specific topics.
New Zealand has a publicly funded healthcare system. In addition, there are private hospitals and providers. Many doctors are providers in both the public and private system.
New Zealand’s public healthcare system is not substandard to the private healthcare system, as is the case in some other countries. Some people choose to purchase health insurance to ensure they have access to both systems, or because they are not eligible for the public healthcare system.
Eligibility for publicly funded healthcare services in New Zealand
Not all people in New Zealand are eligible for all publicly funded healthcare services. However, if you are in serious need of medical care, you will be treated even if you are not eligible – you will just be charged for the services you are not eligible to receive for free.
Check whether you are eligible
Eligibility criteria for healthcare services in New Zealand (external website)
Eligibility criteria for publicly funded maternity care in New Zealand (external website)
Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)
Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) in New Zealand provides no-fault cover for accidental injury. Anyone injured in New Zealand by accident will receive publicly funded medical treatment and compensation for their injury. As a result, people are not allowed to sue each other for accidental injuries, for example those caused by a car accident.
ACC cover includes anyone present in New Zealand, not just New Zealand residents or citizens. However, ACC cover does not extend to medical problems like appendicitis or a heart attack.
Read more about the Accident Compensation Corporation (external website)
Maternity care in New Zealand
Eligibility for Publicly Funded Maternity Care (external website)
Maternity services provided by MidCentral Health (external website)
Information about maternity care provided by the Maternity Services Consumer Council (external website)
Choosing a Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) (external website)
Healthcare in New Zealand – National Policy
The Ministry of Health develops national healthcare policy in New Zealand. Their website explains how the health and disability system is structured and discusses high-level policy matters.
New Zealand Health Strategy (external website)
New Zealand Disability Strategy (external website)