Health services in New Zealand are delivered by a complex network of organisations with most of the day-to-day business administered by District Health Boards (DHBs).

DHBs plan, manage, provide and purchase services for the population of their district. This includes funding for primary care, public health services, aged care, and services provided by other non-government health providers. This system is funded by taxes.

Hospitals are public and treat citizens or permanent residents free of charge whilst visits to general or family practitioners are, for example, generally paid for by the patient although the cost of these payments is comparatively minor.

Health Care in New Zealand

As a whole, the population of Australia is in good health, with life expectancy at birth for women at 82 years and for men at 78. The exception is the Maori population whose poor health status is complex mix of social and cultural factors.

Your first interaction with the health system will most likely be via a GP as patients must always be referred by a GP to a specialist. The cost of visiting a GP ranges from free to $45.00 for children and from free to $75.00 for adults under the current subsidies.

In addition to specialist appointments and hospital treatment, people commonly use private health treatment to obtain second opinions, health checks and screening, and for complementary medicine which isn’t usually available under the public health service.

Visits to dentists and other private sector health professionals are usually not funded by the state healthcare scheme and you will have to pay for these services or use private health insurance to cover the costs.

Government Responsibilities

The Ministry of Health is the principal advisor to the government on health and disability policy, and is responsible for leading and supporting the sector.

District Health Boards (DHBs) are responsible for providing or funding health and disability services in their district.

DHBs use their funding to purchase healthcare services from various providers, including family doctors, hospitals, nursing homes and other health organisations.

Non-government religious and charitable organisations also play a noteworthy role in health services, public health and health insurance.

Roles of Different Agencies and Departments

Most of the day-to-day business is administered by District Health Boards (DHBs) but there are other agencies and departments that contribute to the New Zealand healthcare system. 

Medical Council of New Zealand - Registers doctors to practise medicine in New Zealand after ensuring that medical practitioners have met a certain standard and are fit to practise. 

Primary Health Organisations - Funded by District Health Boards (DHBs) to provide essential primary health care services to those people who are enrolled to bring together health professionals in the community to serve the health needs of their enrolled populations. 

Public Health Units - Provides regional health services such as environmental health, disease control, and health promotion programmes. 

New Zealand Medical Association - Provides leadership of the medical profession, and promotes professional unity and values and the health of New Zealanders. 

Accident Compensation Scheme - Provides comprehensive, no-fault personal injury cover for all New Zealand residents and visitors to New Zealand. 

Immigration New Zealand - Responsible for managing the benefits and consequences of immigration to New Zealand.