Guide to eligibility for public health services

Eligibility criteria:

A New Zealand resident who has:

• a resident visa, or
• a permanent resident visa,

is eligible for publicly funded health and disability services.

This includes people who were granted residency before 29 November 2010, who still hold valid residence permits (these are deemed "residence class visas" along with the two listed above).

Other people, including people who arrived in New Zealand before 2 April 1974 and have been in New Zealand continuously from that date, may also be permanent residents.  They need to contact Immigration New Zealand to get proof of their residence status.

Criteria: B3, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011

Proof of eligibility:

You will need to show your health service provider:

• your valid passport with a Resident Visa (or Residence Permit if issued before 29 November 2010) or Permanent Resident Visa OR
• your Certificate of Identity issued under the Immigration Act 2009 OR
• evidence you are currently getting a social security benefit (except Emergency Benefit) AND two forms of supporting identity documentation – one needs to have a photograph of you.

Examples of identity documents include:

• a driver license
• an 18+ card,
• a community services card or SuperGold Card,
• a school/tertiary ID card,
• an employment contract, a rental agreement, or
• letters addressed to you at your current address.

Requirements for these documents are waived for children. 

Note: Children aged 17 years or younger, in the care and control of a parent or legal guardian who is a New Zealand resident, are eligible for the same publicly funded health and disability services as that parent or guardian. The same applies if the adult is applying to be their adopted parent or legal guardian.

Except for maternity services, partners of people eligible for publicly funded health services must themselves meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility:

A New Zealand citizen (a person who has New Zealand citizenship under the Citizenship Act 1977 or the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982) is eligible for publicly funded health and disability services.

Criteria: B2, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011

Proof of eligibility:

You will need to show your health service provider:

• your New Zealand passport OR
• your New Zealand Birth Certificate (or Cook Island, Niue or Tokelau birth certificate) AND two forms of proof that you are the person on the birth certificate OR
• your New Zealand Certificate of Citizenship AND two forms of supporting identity documentation – one needs to have a photograph of you OR
• your Descent Registration Certificate AND two forms of supporting identity documentation – one needs to have a photograph of you OR
• evidence you are currently getting a social security benefit (except emergency benefit) AND  two forms of supporting identity documentation – one needs to have a photograph of you. 

Examples of identity documents include:

• a driver licence
• an 18+ card
• an employment contract, a rental agreement, or
• letters addressed to you at your current address.

The following cards may also be used for proof of identity (but not proof of eligibility)

• a Community Services Card or SuperGold Card
• a school/tertiary ID card

Requirements for these documents are waived for children. 

Note: Time spent overseas does not affect New Zealand citizens' eligibility.  However, if only temporarily in New Zealand, they may not meet the requirements for primary health organisation enrolment. 

Children aged 17 years or younger, in the care and control of a parent or guardian who is a New Zealand citizen, are eligible for the same publicly funded health and disability services as their parent or guardian. Children aged 17 years or younger, in the care and control of a person applying to legally adopt them, or become their legal guardian, are also eligible.

Except for maternity services, partners of people eligible for publicly funded health and disability services must themselves meet the eligibility criteria.

If you're not eligible under the criteria below, read information about the reciprocal health cover for Australian residents temporarily in New Zealand.

Eligibility:

Australian citizens and permanent residents who live, or are intending to live in New Zealand for two years or more are eligible for publicly funded health services. The two years is a consecutive period, counted from your first day in New Zealand.

(Note: Australian visitors to New Zealand are not entitled to publicly funded emergency transport by ambulance. This includes both non-injury and emergency transport. Similarly, New Zealand visitors to Australia are not entitled to publicly funded emergency transport by ambulance.)

Proof of eligibility:

You will need to show your health service provider:

• your valid Passport of your own nationality with a current resident visa (including a resident return visa) issued by the Government of Australia. (Criteria: B6 and B7, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.)
• proof that New Zealand will be your principal place of residence for two years or more (eg, work contract, house long-term lease, ownership, or mortgage).  The two years is counted from the date you migrated to New Zealand AND
• either:
  • your Australian passport OR
  • your valid Passport of your own nationality with a current resident visa (including a resident return visa) issued by the Government of Australia.

Criteria: B6 and B7, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.

Note: Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents not intending to stay for at least two years may be eligible for immediately necessary hospital and maternity services and pharmaceuticals. Go to Reciprocal health agreements to find out more.

Children aged 17 years or younger, whose parent, legal guardian or person applying to be their legal guardian or adoptive parent, are also eligible for publicly funded health and disability services (relevant to children whose own citizenship or immigration status does not meet the criteria).

Except for maternity services, partners of people eligible for publicly funded health and disability services must themselves meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility:

A person who holds a work visa that either:

• entitles them to remain in New Zealand for two years or more (work visas start on the person’s first day in New Zealand) OR
• entitles them to remain in New Zealand for a period of time which, together with the time that person has already been lawfully in New Zealand immediately prior to obtaining the visa, equals or exceeds two years

is eligible for publicly funded health and disability services.

Criteria: B5, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.

Proof of eligibility:

You will need to show your health service provider your valid passport endorsed (stamped) with a current work visa (or work permit), that:

• entitles you to remain in New Zealand for a period that equals or exceeds two years (work visas start on the person’s first day in New Zealand) OR
• entitles you to remain in New Zealand for a specified period of time which, together with the period of time you have already been lawfully in New Zealand (ie. on other visas/permits), allows for a total continuous stay of at least two years.

Note: Time spent lawfully in New Zealand immediately prior to the current work visa/permit counts towards the two years (ie. on a visitor or student visa/permit or another work visa/permit).

Except for maternity services, partners of people eligible for publicly funded health and disability services must themselves meet the eligibility criteria.

For more information about these eligibility criteria, go to the main Guide to eligibility page.

Recent change to calculation of visa duration

The Ministry of Health previously calculated the duration of a person’s visa exclusive of the date the visa expires. Following consideration of a complaint to the Ombudsman, this was reviewed by the Ministry and the Ministry has accepted that it was incorrect.

Any person who considers that they would have been eligible for publicly funded services if the final date of their work visa was counted towards the two-year visa requirement under clause B5 is entitled to seek a review of the previous eligibility decision by emailing eligibility@health.govt.nz.

In future, the date of the visa’s expiry will be included when calculating the duration of a work visa.

Eligibility:

People aged 17 years or younger are eligible for publicly funded health services if they are in the care and control of a: parent, or legal guardian, or person in the process of legally adopting them or becoming their legal guardian, who is eligible as a:

• a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident (B2 and B3)
• an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident living or planning to live in New Zealand for two years or more (B6, B7)
• an interim visa holder (B4)
• an work visa holder (B5)
• refugee, protected person or victim of people trafficking (B10, B11, B12),
• a New Zealand Aid Programme student (B13) OR
• is in the care and control of the Chief Executive of Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children.

Criteria: B16, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.
Note: Refer to the clauses above for the conditions of the relevant criteria for parents/guardians.

Proof of eligibility:

You will need to show your health service provider:

• proof that you are in the care and control of a parent, or guardian, or person who is in the process of legally adopting you or becoming your legal guardian, AND
• proof that your parent or guardian or adopting parent is an eligible person AND
  • your passport AND proof of relationship to your parent or guardian or adopting parent OR
  • your birth certificate (to prove your age and relationship to your parent) AND supporting identity documentation to show that you are the person on that birth certificate OR
  • your birth certificate (to prove your age) and proof of guardianship or that adoption is in process AND supporting identity documentation to show that you are the person on that birth certificate. 

Examples of identity documentation include:

• a driver licence
• a school/tertiary ID card
• an employment contract, a rental agreement, or
• letters addressed to you at your current address.

Note: Except for maternity services, partners of people eligible for publicly funded health and disability services must themselves meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility:

Interim visa holders are eligible if, immediately prior to their interim visa, they were eligible for publicly funded health and disability services (ie. under other criteria). 

Criteria: B4, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.

Proof of eligibility:

You will need to show your health service provider:

• your interim visa letter AND
• an immigration history from Immigration NZ detailing the visas/permits you have been issued and the time you have spent in NZ on those visas/permits AND
• supporting identity documentation to prove that you are the person on those letters. 

Examples of identity documents include:

• a driver's licence
• a school/tertiary ID card
• an employment contract, a rental agreement, or
• letters addressed to you at your current address.

Requirements for these identity documents can be waived for young children. 

Note: Dependent children (aged 17 years or younger) of eligible interim visa holders are eligible for publicly funded health and disability services, provided they can show that it is their parent, legal guardian, adopting parent, or person applying to become their legal guardian who is the eligible interim visa holder.

Partners of eligible interim visa holders must themselves meet the eligibility criteria to be eligible for publicly funded health and disability services.

Pregnant partners of eligible interim visa holders may be eligible for maternity-related services (only), if not already eligible in their own right. They must be able to provide proof of their partnership with the eligible person. For more information, go to maternity services.

Eligibility

Students:

Students are eligible for publicly funded health and disability services if they are studying in New Zealand under the Manaaki New Zealand Aid Programme (previously New Zealand Aid Programme), and receiving Official Development Assistance funding via a New Zealand Government Scholarship from Education New Zealand.

Criteria: B13, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.

Family members:

Children in the care and control of a parent or guardian who meets the criteria above (clause B13, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011) are also eligible for publicly funded health and disability services.

Criteria: B16, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.

Partners of people who meet the criteria above (clause B13, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011) are also eligible for publicly funded health and disability services.

Criteria: B20, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.

Proof of eligibility

Students:

If you are the recipient of the New Zealand Government Scholarship, you will need to show your health service provider:

• your valid passport with current student permit and
• a letter of scholarship offer from Education New Zealand, signed by you.

Family members:

To prove eligibility of a child or partner of the recipient of the New Zealand Government Scholarship, you will need to show your health service provider:

• proof of the scholarship recipient's eligibility and
• the approval letter received from Immigration New Zealand, confirming the family member's application for a visa as a dependent of a recipient of a New Zealand Government Scholarship through Education New Zealand.

Eligibility

Students who are studying in New Zealand under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, funded by a New Zealand university, are eligible for publicly funded health and disability services.　

Criteria: B14, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.

Students who are studying in New Zealand under a Commonwealth Scholarship, funded by Education New Zealand through the Manaaki New Zealand Aid Programme, are eligible for publicly funded health and disability services.

Criteria: B13 and B14, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.

Proof of eligibility

Students:

You will need to show your health service provider:

• your valid passport with a student permit and
• documents that indicate that you are studying in New Zealand on the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan or
• a letter of scholarship offer from Education New Zealand, signed by you.

Family members:

Partners and children of students studying under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, funded by a New Zealand university, are not eligible unless they meet the eligibility criteria in their own right.

Eligibility:

Foreign language teaching assistants funded by the Ministry of Education's Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship Scheme are eligible for publicly funded health and disability services.

Criteria: B15, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011

Proof of eligibility:

You will need to show your health service provider:

• your valid Passport with a work visa AND
• a letter from Tui Tuia | Learning Circle / Auckland UniServices Ltd confirming you are participating on this scheme. If you are participating in this scheme and do not yet have the required letter please email tuituia.languages@auckland.ac.nz.

Eligibility:

Refugees and protected persons, applicants for refugee and protection status, and people appealing against refusal of refugee or protection status are eligible for publicly funded health and disability services. Victims and suspected victims of people trafficking offences are also eligible for publicly funded health and disability services.

The person must have:

• applied for refugee or protection status and be awaiting a decision, OR
• been granted refugee or protection status, OR
• appealed to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal against refusal of refugee status and be awaiting a decision OR
• be a victim or a suspected victim of a people trafficking offence.

Criteria: B10, B11 and B12, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.

Proof of eligibility:

You will need to show your health service provider proof of your refugee or protection status. This will be:

• a letter from Immigration New Zealand confirming that you have been recognised as a refugee or protected person, OR
• a recent letter from Immigration New Zealand confirming that you have a current application for refugee or protection status, OR
• a recent letter from Immigration New Zealand confirming that you have an appeal before the Immigration and Protection Tribunal for refugee or protection status OR
• confirmation from the Police stating that the person is a victim or a suspected victim of a people trafficking offence. 

You will also need to show proof that you are the person in the letter. This might be:

• your Refugee Travel Document issued under the Passport Act 1992, OR
• your Certificate of Identity issued under the Immigration Act 1987.

Note: The type or length of visa held is not relevant to these criteria.   

A person whose appeal against refusal of refugee status has been declined by the Immigration and Protection Tribunal is not eligible for publicly funded health and disability services. Appeals to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal for other reasons (eg, removal from New Zealand) do not satisfy the eligibility criteria.

Children in the care and control of people in this category are dealt with under People aged 17 years or younger.

Except for maternity services, partners of people eligible for publicly funded health and disability services must themselves meet the eligibility criteria.

The Refugee Status Branch decision times increased to over a year for most asylum seekers and has limited resources to issue updated claim letters to clients every three months so they will accept claim letters as is.

Eligibility:

People needing treatment for personal injuries can be covered by ACC, regardless of their residential status. 

You'll need to complete a claim form at the time of treatment. The health service provider decides whether a claim should be lodged. The claim must be accepted by ACC before it will contribute to ongoing funding. 

ACC does provide cover for accidents that occur overseas but only to people ordinarily resident in New Zealand, and only in limited situations.

Criteria: B26, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011

Proof of eligibility:

At the initial consultation, the health service provider decides if an ACC claim should be lodged.  If the treatment does not meet the ACC criteria, eligibility for publicly funded care must be determined, and you should be told of the expected cost, if any. 

When ACC accepts a claim for cover, you will need to provide details of this cover to any subsequent health service providers.

For more information on ACC, visit the ACC website.

Eligibility:

Australian residents are covered by the New Zealand/Australia Reciprocal Health Agreement if they:

• are on a temporary visit (up to two years) to New Zealand AND
• in the opinion of the provider of medical treatment, they need immediately necessary medical treatment while in New Zealand.

Their medical treatment may be publicly funded as it would be for a New Zealand citizen:

• IF that treatment is clinically necessary for the diagnosis, alleviation or care of the condition requiring attention
• for pharmaceutical benefits, hospital services, and maternity services.

(Note: Australian visitors to New Zealand are not entitled to publicly funded emergency transport by ambulance. This includes both non-injury and emergency transport. Similarly, New Zealand visitors to Australia are not entitled to publicly funded emergency transport by ambulance.)

Criteria: B8, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.

Proof of eligibility:

You will need to show your health service provider:

• your Australian passport OR
• your passport of other nationality with a current resident visa (including a resident return visa) issued by the Government of Australia OR
• your Medicare Australia card, and your passport to prove that you are the holder of that card.

Definition of Australian resident:

"Australian resident" is defined by the Australian Health Insurance Act 1973 (s3 Interpretation) as people who reside in Australia and includes:

• Australian citizens
• Australian permanent visa and resident return visa holders
• Australian temporary visa holders who are waiting for their permanent residency application to be processed.

Those listed are eligible to enrol in the Australian Medicare scheme – refer to the Health Insurance Act for a full list. "Australia" means the Commonwealth of Australia, and includes the territories of Coco (Keeling) Islands, Norfolk and Christmas Island.

PHO enrolment:

• A person who is only eligible for services under the reciprocal agreement may not enrol with a Primary Health Organisation (PHO) and is not entitled to free or subsidised care by a primary health provider/general practitioner. The ineligible person may register with a General Practice as a private patient, and should be allocated a NHI number if they do not already have one.

Eligibility under other criteria:

• An Australian citizen or permanent resident who has been in New Zealand for a period of two years or more, or can demonstrate reasonable intention to remain in New Zealand for two years or more, is eligible for all publicly funded services, and can enrol with a PHO and get the same health subsidies as a New Zealand citizen.
• Other Australian residents may also be eligible for other publicly funded services, under other criteria. For example, they may be fully eligible if they have a New Zealand work visa that, together with time spent on visas immediately prior, allows them to be continuously in New Zealand for two years or more. Or they may be eligible for maternity-related services funded to the same extent as for a New Zealand citizen if their partner is eligible for the full range of publicly funded health and disability services.

Insurance recommended:

• The Government strongly recommends that people in New Zealand who are not eligible for publicly funded health and disability services should hold comprehensive travel insurance, including health insurance. The reciprocal agreement does not cover non-urgent treatment, rehabilitation or repatriation, and some services to New Zealanders such as doctors visits and pharmaceuticals are subject to part charges.

Eligibility:

People who are eligible to receive or are receiving compulsory health services under the following Acts are eligible for those services to be publicly funded.

• Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Act 1966
• Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act 2003
• Intellectual Disability (Compulsory Care and Rehabilitation) Act 2003
• Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992.

In the case of people receiving services that would be prescribed under the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Act or the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act, the health service provider will provide:

• diagnostic services or assessments to determine whether further compulsory services are required
• inpatient or outpatient care for the illness, including medications, while the person continues to meet the criteria for requiring compulsory treatment
• other follow up such as counseling, during the time that the person meets the criteria for requiring compulsory treatment.

Citizenship and immigration status are not relevant; length of stay is not relevant.

Criteria: B25, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.

Proof of eligibility:

If there is doubt about whether the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Act 1966; or Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 provisions apply in a particular case, it should be referred to the District Inspector who will consult the Ministry of Health where necessary.

If there is doubt about whether the Intellectual Disability  (Compulsory Care and Rehabilitation) Act 2003 or Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act 2003 provisions apply in any particular case, queries should be referred to the Director (IDCC&R), Ministry of Health.

Eligibility:

Anyone may receive publicly funded services during or as the result of an emergency (eg, natural disaster, act of terrorism), if:

• the services are required as the result of an emergency, AND
• the services are necessary to address health risks to the person or other persons.

"Emergency" has the same meaning as in section 4 of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002.

Criteria: B24, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.

Note: The Government strongly recommends that people in New Zealand who are not eligible for publicly funded health services hold comprehensive travel insurance, including health insurance.

Eligibility:

Foreign diplomats and their family members are not eligible for publicly funded health and disability services unless injured in an accident.

The Government they’re representing is responsible for covering their health costs. They may receive medical care in the public health system but must pay for all medical and associated costs.

Foreign diplomats and their family members requiring acute care will receive it, and will later be invoiced for the services received.  

Foreign diplomats and their family members seeking elective services through the public health system will be treated only where there is capacity beyond meeting the needs of the eligible population. Provision of treatment is decided on a case-by-case basis, by the treating District Health Board. In some cases, payment may be sought in advance. 

Foreign diplomats and their family members are covered under the accident compensation scheme and may receive medical treatment under the public system as the result of an accident, including motor vehicle accidents. Foreign diplomats may be eligible for publicly funded health care in situations where they otherwise meet the eligibility requirements of the 2011 Direction. This also applies to Consular and Official staff, and their family members.

Please refer any queries to Protocol Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Wellington.

Eligibility:

Regardless of their citizenship or immigration status, children are eligible for publicly funded vaccinations on the Immunisation Schedule, and WellChild/Tamariki Ora services. 

Criteria: B17, B18, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.

Note: Children may be eligible for other services to be funded, under other criteria. For example, if they are a UK citizen who ordinarily resides in New Zealand, they would be eligible for certain publicly funded services under a reciprocal agreement.  If they are under 18 and have an eligible parent, they may be eligible for the full range of publicly funded health and disability services (return to the beginning of the Guide for further information).  

The Government strongly recommends that people in New Zealand who are not eligible for publicly funded health services hold comprehensive travel insurance, including health insurance.

Eligibility:

People who have or who are suspected of having an infectious and/or quarantinable disease are eligible for publicly funded health services to address the risks to other people. 

Infectious and quarantinable diseases are those listed in the Schedule to the Health Act 1956 and tuberculosis. 

The services must relate only to all or any of the following:

• the surveillance of persons who are liable to quarantine under the Health Act 1956 or the Tuberculosis Act 1948
• diagnosis
• treatment of the person’s infectious or quarantinable disease
• follow-up services and 
• contact tracing services.

for the person’s infectious or quarantinable disease, to the extent appropriate in the circumstances to address risks to other persons, as determined by a clinician.

Citizenship and immigration status are not relevant; length of stay is not relevant.

Criteria: B23, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011

Proof of eligibility:

If there is doubt about whether the Tuberculosis Act 1948; or Health Act 1956 provisions apply in a particular case, it should be determined on the judgment of the Medical Officer of Health.

Eligibility:

Pregnant partners of:

• New Zealand citizens
• New Zealand resident visa (including residence permit) and permanent resident visa holders
• Australian citizens or permanent residents who have or intend to live in New Zealand for two years or longer
• refugees, or people whose application to become a refugee has been accepted by Immigration NZ, or people who are in the process of having an appeal for refugee status determined by the Immigration and Protection Tribunal
• people with protection status, people applying to Immigration NZ for protection status or people appealing against refusal of protection status
• children aged under 18 who are in the care and control of a parent or guardian (or a person in the process of legally adopting them or becoming their legal guardian) and that person is:
  • a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, OR
  • an Australian citizen or permanent resident who has been living, or who intends to live, in New Zealand for two years or longer, OR
  • a Work Visa holder whose visa is for two years or more, or who has a current work visa which, together with previous visas, allows them to be continuously in New Zealand for two years or more (work visas start on the person’s first day in New Zealand)
• Work Visa holders whose visa is for two years or more, or who have a current work visa which, together with previous visas, allows them to be continuously in New Zealand for two years or more (work visas start on the person’s first day in New Zealand)

who are not eligible for publicly funded health and disability services in their own right, are eligible for the same maternity-related services as New Zealand citizens.

Maternity-related services include all services included in the section 88 Maternity Notice, and any other treatment for a condition determined by a clinician that would adversely impact on the survival of the mother or the baby.

Criteria: B21, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.

Criteria:

The pregnant wife or partner of an eligible person.

Proof of eligibility:

You will need to show your health service provider:

• your partner's proof of eligibility e.g. a valid New Zealand Passport, Passport with a current Work Visa AND
• proof of being the wife or partner of an eligible person

Examples of proof include:

• a partner’s Passport AND a marriage or civil union certificate OR
• a Visa or Permit granted by Immigration New Zealand on the basis of the relationship OR
• a statutory declaration from both partners, detailing how they meet the definition of “de-facto partner”.

Eligibility:

Pregnant women who have been infected with the HIV virus are eligible for specific maternity services to reduce the risk of mother to child transmission.

Any pregnant woman who is infected with HIV has free access to:

• a hospital based lead maternity carer
• blood tests to determine HIV viral load in the pregnant woman
• a funded course of antiretroviral drug(s), noting that there is no entitlement to ongoing antiretroviral treatment for the mother
• information around safe alternatives to breastfeeding
• a caesarean section for those cases where specialist medical opinion considers that a caesarean section is required for delivery to effectively limit the HIV transmission risk to the child
• post caesarean section hospitalisation (approximately one week)
• postnatal hospital visits for the child for the purpose of disease exclusion, that is, to determine the HIV status of the child.

Criteria: B22, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.

Proof of eligibility:

You will need to show your health service provider:

• your Passport (only to prove your identity) AND
• proof of your being infected with the HIV virus  (eg. a referral letter from your GP). 

A pregnant woman infected with the HIV virus is eligible for the specified maternity services while she is in New Zealand, irrespective of her immigration status.

Eligibility:

Prison inmates and people on remand are eligible for publicly funded health and disability services that are not provided by the prison health system. 

Criteria: B27, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.

Proof of eligibility:

You (or the person acting on your behalf) will need to show the health service provider proof that you/the person is a prison inmate or an individual on remand.

Citizenship and immigration status are not relevant; length of stay is not relevant.

Eligibility:

Under a reciprocal agreement, a United Kingdom (UK) citizen (passport holder) is eligible for treatment (medical, hospital and related) on the same basis as a New Zealand citizen if they:

• are ordinarily resident in the UK (including England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Island of Jersey and the Balliwick of Guernsey, comprising the islands of Guernsey, Alderney, Herm, Jethou and Sark) AND
• are on a temporary stay in New Zealand (a temporary stay would be any stay that was not permanent, and to become permanent they would need to have a residence visa or NZ citizenship) AND
• require medical treatment which:
  • in the opinion of a medical practitioner (or dentist for people 19 years or younger)
  • needs prompt attention
  • for a condition that arose after arrival into New Zealand, OR became, OR without treatment would have become, acutely exacerbated after arrival.

Criteria: B5, Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.

Proof of eligibility:

You will need to show your health service provider:

• your valid UK Passport with a Visitor Visa OR a Student Visa OR a Work Visa for less than two years AND
• proof of being ordinarily resident in the UK (eg. return ticket, property lease or ownership papers, proof of employment in the UK)

Note:

Permanent residency in New Zealand or other countries:

• The UK Reciprocal Health Agreement does not cover UK permanent residents.
• A UK passport holder who is not ordinarily resident in the UK is not eligible for coverage under the New Zealand/UK reciprocal health agreement.
• A UK citizen who held a residence visa for any other country prior to arriving in New Zealand would not be covered by this agreement.  Applying for permanent residency in New Zealand does not exclude the applicant from coverage under this agreement.  If New Zealand residency is not granted, the person may still be considered ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom.

PHO enrolment:

• When receiving services under the reciprocal agreement, a person may not enrol with a Primary Health Organisation (PHO). They should get the same health subsidies as a New Zealand citizen visiting a general practitioner as a casual patient, if the medical practitioner has decided the condition needs prompt attention. They may register with a GP, and should be allocated a NHI number if they do not already have one.

Eligibility under other criteria:

• UK citizens may also be eligible for other publicly funded services, under other criteria.  For example, they may be fully eligible if they have a work visa that, together with time spent on visas immediately prior, allows them to be continuously in New Zealand for two years or more.  Or they may be eligible for maternity-related services funded to the same extent as for a New Zealand citizen if they have a partner who is fully eligible.

Insurance recommended:

• The Government strongly recommends that people in New Zealand who are not eligible for publicly funded health and disability services should hold comprehensive travel insurance, including health insurance. The reciprocal agreement does not cover non-urgent treatment, rehabilitation or repatriation, and some services to New Zealanders such as doctors visits and pharmaceuticals are subject to part charges.