Moving to New Zealand 

Can you buy Southern Cross health insurance ?

If you’re moving to New Zealand, you can apply for Southern Cross health insurance if:

• You are a New Zealand citizen;
• You have a permanent resident’s visa;
• You have a valid work visa (for two years or more);or
• You are otherwise entitled to free public healthcare in New Zealand (as determined by the Ministry of Health)

Or would Southern Cross travel insurance be the better option?

If you don’t meet the criteria mentioned above, check out your options at Southern Cross Travel Insurance. If you’re a student, take a look at the International Student Insurance page ► Otherwise, take a look at the Visiting NZ Insurance page ►

Why do you need health insurance in New Zealand?

There are some compelling reasons to have health insurance if you’re living in New Zealand: To avoid public hospital waiting lists and access treatment for qualifying medical conditions faster, to choose where and when you are treated.

New Zealand has a public healthcare system that will look after your acute needs and a public no-fault accident insurance scheme (ACC) that covers you for accidental injury. For more information click here ►

However if you need to see a specialist, have non-acute surgery or a diagnostic procedure (such as an MRI), the public system will put you on a waiting list. The time it takes to get what you need will depend on the length of the waiting list in the region you live and the resource available.

With health insurance you can get the attention you need through the private healthcare system. You can choose when and where you’re treated for qualifying medical conditions. Many of our members like the fact that they can remain with their choice of specialist.