Key points about the health system in Aotearoa
- in the early years you and your child will need lots of help and advice about sickness and keeping healthy
- it is very helpful to have a family doctor and practice nurse who get to know you and your child well
- know where to go for medical treatment
- if you're unsure, call Healthline on 0800 611 116
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.
Where to go for healthcare in New Zealand
In an emergency
If it is an emergency, call 111 within New Zealand (use the appropriate emergency number in other countries) and ask for urgent medical help.
If you're near the hospital and the situation is serious but not life threatening, you may choose to take your child in your car. Make sure you know where your hospital's emergency department is.
Hospital emergency services operate 24 hours, 7 days a week. You can take your child to the emergency department without a doctor's referral. You may have to wait for some hours as emergency departments see people with the most urgent needs first.
To find the closest public hospital to you visit the Ministry of Health website.
If it's not an emergency
If your child needs medical care but it is not an emergency, contact your family doctor to make an appointment.
If they need urgent care but it is not an emergency and your family doctor is not available, visit your local accident and medical clinic (A&M). If they cannot treat your child's illness or injury, they will refer them to your hospital's emergency department (ED) if they think your child needs urgent care.
Healthline
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.
Knowing when to seek help for your child
Sometimes families worry about missing a serious illness. Knowing your child and seeing a change in their behaviour could be the most important clue to how sick they are. Check the page about when to seek help for your child.
A video about where to go for help in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Source: Te Whatu Ora - Waitematā
Health services in New Zealand
General practice
It's free to enrol with a general practice. General practices can only enrol people who can access publicly funded primary health services. When you enrol, you may need to show proof of eligibility - such as your passport or birth certificate. You'll also need to sign an enrolment form.
Visit the Healthpoint website to find a GP near you. You can also search for kaupapa Māori services in your region.
Learn more about the importance of a general practice team for your child on the Health NZ - Te Whatu Ora website. Most general practices are part of Primary Health Organisations (PHOs).
Your Child's Doctor & Practice Nurse
After hours care
GPs are usually open business hours, Monday to Friday. Every practice needs to have arrangements for their patients to receive care outside these hours.
Check with your practice where to take your child if they need care outside working hours. You might have to visit an after-hours accident and medical clinic or another practice.
Visit the Healthpoint website to find an accident and medical clinic in your area.
Specialist care
Your doctor may refer your child to a hospital or specialist doctor for further assessment or diagnosis.
Specialist care is free through the public health system, but your child may go on a waiting list.
If you don't want to wait in the public system, you may wish to use a private hospital or specialist to get advice sooner. You will have to pay a fee for this, unless you have private health insurance.
Maternity care
Mothers of pēpi (babies) born in New Zealand can get free essential care during and after their pregnancy.
Find out more about maternity care in New Zealand.
Pregnancy, Childbirth & The First Weeks
Well Child Tamariki Ora
Well Child Tamariki Ora services, such as Plunket, support parents and their tamariki up to the age of 5. This is a free service for all tamariki living in New Zealand.
Well Child Tamariki Ora Programme
The B4 School Check is a free health and development check for your 4-year-old. It's the final Well Child Tamariki Ora check.
Vaccination
The National Immunisation Schedule is the series of vaccinations that are free for pēpi, tamariki, rangatahi (young people) and adults. The Schedule lists the vaccinations and the age your child can have them.
It is important your child has their full course for continuing strong protection. Tamariki need vaccinations on time as delaying them leaves them at unnecessary risk of infection.
Visit the Health NZ - Te Whatu Ora website to see the national immunisation schedule. It tells you about each of the vaccines and when they are given.
Visit the Health NZ website
Disability services
There is a range of disability support in New Zealand. See the A to Z listing of New Zealand support groups for disabilities, health impairments, special needs and disorders.
Support For Disability & Long Term Conditions
Health & Disability Support A-Z
Check out Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People's website for more information about disability support services.
Mental health services
Helplines & Mental Health Support Services
Emotional & Mental Wellbeing In Children & Young People
Dental care
Basic dental care is free in New Zealand for tamariki from birth until they turn 18. Enrol your child as early as possible and keep taking them for regular dental check-ups.
A video about health services for tamariki in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Source: Te Whatu Ora - Waitematā
Cost of healthcare in New Zealand
Tamariki aged 13 and under won't be charged:
- a fee for visits at most general practices
- a fee for after-hours services at participating clinics and pharmacies
- the regular $5 prescription fee
There is usually a fee for casual patients, who aren't enrolled with a general practice.
Injuries are usually covered by ACC. There may be a cost to use some services at accident and medical clinics.
There is no cost to use a public hospital if your child is eligible. There may be a cost to some ambulance services in New Zealand.
Check if your child is eligible for free healthcare in New Zealand on the Health NZ - Te Whatu Ora website.
Other useful information
Poisoning
For information about poisons or in case of poisoning, call the National Poisons Centre on 0800 POISON - 0800 764 766. This free emergency telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The NPC maintains an accurate and up-to-date database of poisonous substances in NZ and provides professional and timely advice during poisoning incidents.
Language support
If you need language support, you can ask for an interpreter when you visit some health services. Find out more about language support on the Healthify website.
Complaints about services
When you use a health or disability service, you have rights. All people in New Zealand have these rights. If you are not happy with a health and disability service you receive, you have the right to complain.
Children's Rights In Healthcare
