How the NZ health system works — GP visits, costs, prescriptions, ACC, and what's free.
New Zealand has a publicly funded health system managed by Health New Zealand — Te Whatu Ora. Public hospitals are free for residents and citizens. GP visits are government-subsidised but most adults still pay a fee.
Everyone who uses health services in NZ gets an NHI number (National Health Index) — a unique identifier that links your health records across all providers. You get one automatically when you first see a doctor in NZ.
Key difference from Australia: Unlike Medicare in Australia, NZ does not have a universal insurance card system. Instead, the government pays subsidies directly to GP practices, and you pay the balance (the co-payment) at the time of your visit.
GP visits: Most adults pay $40–65 per visit. Fees vary by practice — there's no set national fee. Enrolled patients pay less than casual (non-enrolled) patients.
Children under 14: Free GP visits, and free prescriptions (under-14s are exempt from the $5 co-payment).
Community Services Card holders: Reduced GP fees (typically $19–30) and cheaper prescriptions. You qualify if you're on a low income, receiving a benefit, or a NZ Superannuation recipient.
Very Low Cost Access (VLCA) practices: These practices charge lower fees for all enrolled patients — typically $19 or less for adults. Check Healthpoint.co.nz to find one.
Prescriptions: $5 per item (standard co-payment, reinstated 1 July 2024). Free for under-14s, those 65+, and Community Services Card holders. After 20 paid items in a year, the rest are free (Prescription Subsidy Card). Verified June 2026.
Hospital: Public hospital treatment is free for NZ residents and citizens, including Emergency Department visits.
After-hours: Urgent care and after-hours clinics typically charge $60–100+ for adults. Call Healthline 0800 611 116 (free, 24/7) for health advice before going.
ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) covers the cost of treatment for injuries — for everyone in NZ, including visitors and tourists. It covers accidents at work, home, sport, road, and in public.
What ACC covers: GP visits for injuries (you pay a reduced co-payment), physiotherapy, surgery, hospital treatment, some dental for injury, and income replacement if you can't work due to injury.
What ACC doesn't cover: Illness (only injuries), gradual process conditions (unless work-related), cosmetic procedures, dental not caused by injury.
How it works: Your GP files an ACC claim at the time of your visit. You don't need to do anything — the practice handles it. You'll pay a reduced co-payment for the visit (usually around $20–45 instead of the full fee).
In NZ, you should enrol with a GP practice. Enrolled patients pay lower fees than casual patients and the practice receives government subsidies for your care.
To enrol: Call or visit a practice near you and ask to enrol. You'll fill out an enrolment form with your name, NHI number (if you have one), address, and Community Services Card details if applicable. Enrolment is free.
Finding a GP: Use Healthpoint.co.nz to search for GP practices by location. It shows whether they're accepting new patients and whether they're a VLCA practice.
New Zealand has a good public system, but it is not free for most visitors. Here is what matters: