Which health services are available for my child?
Health services for tamariki (children) in New Zealand include the following.
A midwife in the first 6 weeks after birth.
Doctor and practice nurse services (through a general practice team).
Well Child Tamariki Ora services (a Plunket nurse or a similar service to help make sure that you and your child are doing well - the nurse will support you from when your child is around 6 weeks old until they are 5 years old).
A dental therapist or community dentist (through Community Oral Health Services).
Other health services include Healthline and PlunketLine and emergency and hospital care whenever it is needed.
Healthline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0800 611 116. Call Healthline if you need advice about a child of any age who is unwell, hurt, or has any symptoms of sickness. It's free to callers throughout New Zealand, including from a mobile phone.
PlunketLine is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 0800 933 922 for advice and support for you, your baby and your whānau. Calls are free from cell phones. You do not need to be registered with Plunket to use this service.
Services available if your child has a serious condition or special needs
If your child has a serious condition or any special needs, you may also be entitled to support from your local Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) service. This may include help from child development services - they help tamariki with disabilities and tamariki who are not growing or developing as expected.
Find out what you can do if you're concerned about your child's development.
Concerned About Your Child's Development?
Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC)
Are health services free for my child?
These health services are free for most tamariki in New Zealand.
When to enrol your child in health services
It is important to enrol your child as early as possible so that they can use these health services when they need to. Your midwife will be able to tell you how to enrol your child with a general practice, your local Well Child Tamariki Ora service and your Community Oral Health Service.
Vaccinations for my child
Your midwife will also talk to you about having your child vaccinated.
Vaccination Videos - Why Vaccinate?
Vaccination Videos - Protecting Your Child From Serious Diseases
Health workers
Different health workers will see your child at different times.
Midwife
Your midwife (or specialist doctor) provides care for you during your pregnancy. Your midwife (or a midwife working on behalf of your specialist doctor) is there to support you during the first 6 weeks of your child's life.
Pregnancy, Childbirth & The First Weeks
Moving from midwife to Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse
From 4 to 6 weeks after the birth your care moves from your midwife to a Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse. Your midwife will tell you about the Well Child Tamariki Ora services in your area and help you to enrol with the one that is right for you. It's your choice which one you enrol with.
Well Child Tamariki Ora Programme
Doctor and practice nurse (the general practice team)
It’s important to enrol your child at a general practice as soon as possible so that your doctor and nurse can get to know you and give you the help that you need - including the first immunisations when your child is 6 weeks old. Most practices provide free health care until your child turns 14 years of age. If you don't have a general practice, your midwife or Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse will be able to talk to you about choosing one.
Your Child's Doctor & Practice Nurse
Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse
A Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse has special training in supporting parents and caregivers to look after pēpi (babies) and small tamariki. The nurse will check your child’s health and development and ask you questions about home and whānau life. The nurse may refer you to other services if your child needs them.
