Visiting or Moving to New Zealand

How health insurance works in New Zealand

In New Zealand, private health insurance is intended to supplement the public health system. It can help eligible people access treatment sooner and cover services that may not be fully funded through the public system.

Because private health insurance is designed to work alongside the public system, private health insurance is generally only available to people who are eligible for publicly funded healthcare.

About the New Zealand public healthcare system

New Zealand’s public healthcare system provides high-quality healthcare to people who are eligible for publicly funded healthcare, often at low cost or free of charge.

If you need emergency medical help or acute care, it will be provided through the public healthcare system. Whether this care is publicly funded depends on your eligibility.

Accidents and injuries are covered by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), a government agency which acts as a no-fault personal injury insurer.

Non-emergency health conditions are classified as ‘elective’ treatments. This means you’ll go through an assessment process to find out if you qualify for treatment, and in most cases, you’ll go on a waiting list to receive treatment. This is why some New Zealanders choose to get private health insurance.

Common elective treatments include hip or knee replacements, heart surgery, hysterectomy, cataract removal, cancerous tumour removal and diagnostic services such as endoscopy, laparoscopy, MRI scans, tonsillectomy, and grommets surgery.

The benefits of private health insurance in New Zealand

Private healthcare complements the New Zealand public healthcare system. For people who are eligible for publicly funded healthcare, private health insurance can help provide faster access to treatment by avoiding public wait lists and providing help with the cost of treatment.

This can mean getting back to enjoying life sooner, with less time off work, study, or travel disruption. Private health insurance can also reduce financial uncertainty and give you more choice over when and where you receive treatment, including access to private specialists and hospitals.

There are several private health insurance providers in New Zealand offering a range of plans. These may cover every day healthcare costs, such as GP visits and prescriptions, through to more significant medical expenses, including specialist consultations and surgical treatment.

Check your eligibility for publicly funded health care

Eligibility for publicly funded healthcare depends on your visa, residency, or citizenship status. Check out the Government’s Health New Zealand website for information on your unique situation.

If you are eligible for publicly funded healthcare, talk to us about how private health insurance may support your healthcare needs in New Zealand.

Southern Cross Health Insurance plans are only available to:

• New Zealand citizens
• New Zealand residents, and
• those who are entitled to publicly funded healthcare for all services as determined by the New Zealand Ministry of Health from time to time.

If you are not eligible for publicly funded healthcare, private health insurance is generally not available. Southern Cross Travel Insurance can provide medical cover for visitors to New Zealand, including international students.

Some visas require you to hold insurance as a condition of your visa.

Travel insurance cover for visitors to New Zealand

Travel insurance cover for international students

Southern Cross - the largest New Zealand health insurer

We’re New Zealand’s largest and most trusted health insurance provider1, committed to helping nearly 950,000 New Zealanders to access the healthcare they need.

Southern Cross Health Insurance has cared for the health of New Zealanders since 1961. As a member focused health insurer, we put your health and wellbeing first.

We’re with you.

1 Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Health Insurance Brand, 2017-2026.
2 See our Member Discounts & Offers page for details.