Healthcare
New Zealand's health care system is regarded as one of the best within the OECD group of countries. Citizens of New Zealand have access to a wide range of free and government-subsidised healthcare options, including hospital and doctor services, free public hospital treatment and free 24-hour accident and emergency clinics.
Health care in New Zealand is largely funded by general taxation. Government subsidies are provided for visits to the local doctor and prescriptions for young children and people who require frequent healthcare or who are on a low income.
Other health care services that are subsidised but are not free include visits to general practitioners (GP), physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths.
To register with a general practitioner, migrants to New Zealand need to take their passport and immigration permit to their local medical centre.
Accident Compensation Corporation - ACC
New Zealand residents have access to a government-legislated accident compensation scheme known as ACC.
The scheme covers a complete range of personal injuries, including those suffered at work, at home or during sports or other leisure activities. In New Zealand it is not possible to sue anyone for compensation if you are injured. Instead the ACC will assist with the payment of any resulting healthcare costs.
If an injury prevents a person from working, ACC will pay an amount of compensation which is usually based on 80% of the person's average weekly income before tax.
ACC also assists with residential nursing care, home help and childcare, as well as subsidising transport and training costs during the recovery period.
Private Healthcare
Despite the quality of public health care in New Zealand, many New Zealanders also take out private health insurance because it allows them to bypass the waiting times in the public health system for immediate treatment of non-urgent conditions.
New Zealand has a good network of private hospitals and clinics that provide a wide variety of services, from general surgical procedures through to specialist procedures and recuperative care.
There are also private radiology clinics and testing laboratories. There are also several health insurance companies who offer a full range of health care policies.
The level of cover and policy premiums can vary widely between insurance providers and it is therefore recommended that people consult a number of providers before purchasing private healthcare. Health insurance companies are listed in the Yellow Pages under 'Insurance - Medical'.
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