New Zealand has a largely government-funded healthcare system, and many health services are free or subsidised. However, you have to pay for some services such as seeing a family doctor or dentist.
Free & Subsidised Services
Publicly funded health services for adults include:
- free public hospital treatment
- free public hospital 24-hour accident and emergency clinics (Emergency service is guaranteed but if the patient is not a permanent resident or New Zealand citizen, he or she must pay.)
- no charge for laboratory tests and x-rays, except at privately operated clinics
- free healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth, unless provided by the private medical sector
- free prescription medicines for public hospital patients
- free breast screening mammograms for women aged 45 to 69
- free flu vaccines for over 65-year-olds
- subsidies on prescription items
- subsidised fees for visits to family doctors for people under 25 and over 44
- subsidised fees for visits to physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths when referred by a general practitioner (family doctor)
- free or subsidised healthcare for those suffering from acute or chronic medical conditions.
Publicly funded health services for children include:
- free or subsidised doctor visits for under six-year-olds
- free immunisation
- free Well Child post-natal care
- free or heavily subsidised prescriptions for under six-year-olds
- free dental care for school-age children
- free public hospital treatment.
District Health Boards
Public health services are managed and funded by District Health Boards (DHBs). There are two DHBs in the Wellington region. They run three public hospitals and a health centre.
Capital and Coast District Health Board operates:
- Wellington Hospital, Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington
- Kenepuru Hospital, Raiha Street, Porirua
- Kapiti Health Centre, Warrimoo Street, Paraparaumu.
Capital and Coast District Health Board website
The Hutt Valley District Health Board manages Hutt Hospital on High Street in Lower Hutt.
Eligibility for Healthcare
To be eligible for free healthcare, you need to be a New Zealand citizen, a New Zealand resident, the holder of a two-year work permit, a refugee, or a child under 18 years who is being legally adopted by a New Zealand resident or citizen.
People who are not eligible must pay for the full cost of any medical treatment they receive in New Zealand. Medical staff will ask for legal verification so you must take your passport, visa material or refugee documents with you to a medical facility to prove your eligibility.
Interpreting Services
Hospitals in Wellington provide a free interpreting service for people who are not able to communicate in English. A request for an interpreter should be made in advance if possible.
Accident Compensation System
In New Zealand you cannot sue anyone for compensatory damages if you are injured. Instead, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) covers all injuries whether they are suffered at work, at home, on the road, or playing sport.
ACC claims may also be made for personal injury caused by a medical mistake or error, sexual assault or abuse, and some work-related conditions such as occupational overuse syndrome (OOS).
ACC helps fund or partially fund medical care for injuries and, when necessary, will pay a portion of a person's earnings for the period in which he or she is off work. If the injury is serious and long lasting, a lump sum payment may be made to offset the loss of wages. ACC does not cover illness.
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