Health Services in New Zealand
New Zealand has a very good public health system. You’ll have to pay for routine visits to the doctor or dentist, but there are subsidies for children and for people on lower incomes. Referrals by your doctor ( general practicioner -GP) to the public hospital system and emergency treatment are free.
Click here to find out what health care you’re entitled to as a New Zealand resident.
Eligibility for Publicly Funded Health and Disability Services
The Guide to Eligibility provides information on eligibility for publicly funded (free or subsidised) health care in New Zealand. It describes the groups of people who are eligible for publicly funded health and disability services in New Zealand, and the eligibility criteria.
Find out how to access the New Zealand health system...
- Emergencies
- Save the emergency department for emergencies only
- Regular health & medical care - General Practicioner (GP)
- If your GP is not available
- Mental health service
- Dental heath Services
- Accidents
- Breast Cancer Screening


