Adulthood often involves spending money on things that may not be gratifying right now, but your future self will thank you for it later. Take healthcare, for example. It might not feel urgent or exciting to invest in healthcare in your 30s, but being prepared can make all the difference.
If you understand how health insurance in NZ works now, you can avoid unexpected costs, get faster treatment, and protect your health in the long run.
New Zealand offers a strong public healthcare system. However, many locals and expats alike are now considering taking out private health insurance in New Zealand. The driving factor is the need to cover medical costs that NZ's public healthcare system does not fund, including reducing long wait times, dental and vision care, and accessing specialist treatment.
In this guide, we’ll help you compare health insurance plans, understand what’s covered, and decide if medical insurance in NZ is right for you.
New Zealand has a universal public healthcare system. The government, through our tax dollars, funds the core health services in NZ.
Most health services are available for free or at a subsidised low cost to citizens, permanent residents and some visa holders.
Diagnostic tests.
Immunisations.
Cancer treatment and appointments.
Children’s dental care and prescription medication.
Hospital care (when referred by a GP).
Specialist care (when referred by a GP).
ACC (the Accident Compensation Corporation programme) funds medical care for accidental injuries. This means that if your injury is the result of an accident, you are covered.
You can access healthcare services from both private and public providers. While all New Zealanders have access to our public system, private healthcare services provide faster access to care and more choice.
The New Zealand system primarily focuses on reducing health inequities and improving health outcomes. Many services aren’t covered by our single-payer system, but are covered by private health insurance plans (depending on your policy).
Here’s what they include:
Dental care is free for children up until the age of 18. However, it's not covered for adults except in emergencies, like infections and abscesses. Routine check-ups, fillings, extractions, and orthodontics are fully private.
Here's what you can expect to pay:
A check-up may cost around NZ$65
Fillings can start from NZ$500
Orthodontics may cost anywhere from NZ$3,000 to NZ$10,000, depending on the treatment.
IVF is not automatically covered and only covers two cycles of IVF. Public funding is available, but strict criteria apply (age, BMI, length of infertility, etc.).
Many couples start with public treatment, but go private to avoid long wait times or because they don’t meet the criteria.
New Zealand’s public healthcare system prioritises acute and severe mental health conditions. If you need mild to moderate mental health services, support through the public system can be difficult to access, with long wait times and limited availability.
As a result, many people turn to private mental health counselling, which can be expensive without insurance. This can make it challenging if you need ongoing support to get timely help through the public system.
PHARMAC, the Pharmaceutical Management Agency, is a crown agency that subsidises most medications. Some effective drugs are, however, not funded by them. Around 300 drugs are waiting to be approved by PHARMAC.
This includes treatments for:
Cancers such as prostate, cervical, lymphoma, and lung
Crohn’s disease
Diabetes
Cystic fibrosis
Multiple sclerosis and many more conditions.
Government funding covers wigs for hair loss (NZ$408–NZ$2,330 per year, depending on condition). However, most real hair wigs can exceed NZ$3,000.
Weight loss surgery is available through the public system, but with strict eligibility and long waitlists.
No, do not need health insurance in New Zealand to access essential healthcare if you are a citizen or permanent resident.
That being said, New Zealand's public healthcare system is facing some pressure:
Wait times for operations and specialists can be long.
Hospitals and ED departments are short-staffed.
Access to non-urgent medical care can take months.
Patients may have to advocate for themselves.
You may also have more choices when it comes to selecting a provider. Taking out private health insurance in NZ can also give you more choice in your provider and help alleviate pressure on the public system. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
In New Zealand, health insurance can be considered a luxury. While it’s not a necessity, due to our public system, there are definite advantages to having it.
Reduces wait times for popular public healthcare services. It can also reduce the costs of seeing specialists, such as dental and non-elective surgery.
Allows patients a wide choice of specialists and to receive treatment in private hospitals. This means you have access to private rooms and a more comfortable experience.
Covers a wider range of prescription medications, especially those not funded by PHARMAC. Check the fine print of your coverage for a price cap or if eligibility only applies to medicines provided through a hospital.
Covers dental and vision options, which are expensive. As a result, many Kiwis delay dental treatment for fillings, crowns, and extractions due to the price. Dental and vision options can be worth the monthly cost of private health insurance.
Private health insurance costs are on the rise in New Zealand.
According to Consumer NZ, the average policy has increased by about NZ$100 per month between 2023 and 2025.
You'll need to take out ‘add-ons’ to your policy, so that both everyday care and major surgery cases can be covered. This can be very expensive.
If you have a pre-existing condition, your insurance policy may not cover related treatment or medication. Check the fine print for the policy before you proceed with it.
The answer depends on what your priorities are. Health insurance usually falls into three categories:
This type of coverage usually covers everyday medical expenses, including:
Trips to the GP.
Dentist appointments and treatment ( up to a certain price per year).
Optometry.
Other non-surgery-related care.
This usually covers elective surgery, major treatments, and specialist visits.
It does not cover day-to-day medical care as mentioned above.
You can often include dental or other everyday services for an additional monthly fee.
These policies are the most expensive and will cover both everyday healthcare expenses and major surgery.
If you’re going to take out everyday coverage, compare the cost of visiting the doctor or dentist without insurance to the annual cost of insurance. If you only go to the doctor or dentist once a year, an everyday policy may not be worth it. Especially as minor health insurance policies only cover a portion of the cost.
Paying NZ$42/month (or NZ$504/year) covers:
75% of all dental costs (up to NZ$500 per year).
75% of all GP visits (up to NZ$250 per year).
75% of the cost of prescription glasses and lenses (up to NZ$250 per year).
This means that you’re not just paying NZ$504 per year for insurance, you also have to cover 25% of the cost of your appointments.
If you are considering major medical health insurance, check the policy limit for major surgeries or cancer treatment.
Cancer treatment in private hospitals can cost between NZ$15,000 and NZ$170,000 for chemotherapy and between NZ$20,000 and NZ$55,000 for radiotherapy.
It may be worth looking for a policy with unlimited coverage for cancer treatment.
Before taking out health insurance in New Zealand, you should consider:
Your overall budget: Make sure you can afford the fortnightly or monthly payments
The level of coverage you need: Consider whether everyday coverage is enough or if you would be better off with surgery cover.
Your age: You’re better off taking out coverage when you are young and don’t have a pre-existing medical condition.
Reputation of the provider: There are five providers in New Zealand, all with good reputations, but this is still important
Any additional benefits or exclusions: Pre-existing conditions may be excluded. Make sure you understand what types of treatments are covered for an everyday policy. For example, while dental appointments and fillings are covered, dental surgery is not.
When looking to compare health insurance in NZ, consider using tools like LifeDirect or PolicyWise to gather health insurance quotes easily. This helps you find affordable health insurance options tailored to your lifestyle and health needs.
Check if coverage is right for you and compare the cost of insurance vs. paying out-of-pocket for routine care.
Look for policies with cancer treatment coverage with high or unlimited limits.
Look for a provider that offers a wellness discount for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, being a member of a gym or participating in wellness programs.
Consider raising your excess from NZ$0 to NZ$250 or NZ$500 per claim. to reduce premiums.
There are five main healthcare providers in New Zealand:
Accuro is a not-for-profit Kiwi health insurer known for its affordability and strong customer service.
With flexible plans and an emphasis on preventive care, Accuro is a good choice if you're looking for value without compromising on coverage.
AIA is a global insurer with a strong presence in New Zealand, offering locals comprehensive health and life cover. A standout feature is its AIA Vitality programme, which rewards you for healthy living with discounts and benefits.
Thanks to its wide network and wellness focus, AIA is ideal if you want to integrate health insurance with long-term wellbeing goals.
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nib provides flexible and accessible health insurance options. This includes plans that covers everyday medical expenses, such as GP visits and dental care. With a user-friendly online portal and great customer support, you can easily find the plan that suits your needs. It's no wonder they're a popular choice among youngsters who want their day-to-day costs covered.
Partners Life focuses on comprehensive health and life insurance. It's often the go-to provider for financial advisors and the preferred option for older people and high earners. This is thanks to its strong reputation for tailored solutions and high levels of coverage. Its products offer excellent protection for major medical events.
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Operating as a not-for-profit, Southern Cross is New Zealand’s largest and most well-known health insurer. With a focus on delivering consistent customer satisfaction, they offer extensive plan options. A top pick for individuals, families, and employers wanting established and proven health coverage.
