Your Mobile Newsletter from New Zealand

Connecting with Healthcare in NZ

Moving to a new country means learning the local way of accessing healthcare.

Process / Overview

NHI Number: Every person who uses the NZ healthcare system is issued an NHI (National Health Index) number, a numeric identifier. If you have needed healthcare on a previous visit to NZ or are returning to Aotearoa having previously lived here, you'll already have a number in the system, which a healthcare provider or pharmacist can look up. No one expects you to know your number, but it does speed up transactions.

Illness: You can check here to see if you're eligible for funded public healthcare. If you're not, you may still have some limited eligibility. Private health insurance is also available and a quarter of New Zealanders have it. The main advantage of private health insurance is quicker access to elective healthcare.

Injury: All care relating to accidents is covered by ACC, regardless of fault or immigration status. You seek help for an accident-related injury/illness the same as you would otherwise, and let the staff know it's due to an accident. There will be some paperwork to complete.

Ordinary Care

Whether for illness or injury, ordinary healthcare is provided through GPs (general practitioners). A GP office is often referred to as 'surgery' or 'medical centre.' You don't have to register with a particular GP and may want to shop around for the GP you prefer. There are good reasons to register, though: discounted rates for visits, continuity of care, and often priority for booking appointments. GPs are in high demand at the moment, so the first thing you want to ask when calling is whether they're accepting new patients.

Children under age 5 get annual well care provided through Plunket. Children moving to New Zealand should also have their vaccine history compared with the NZ immunisation schedule to be sure that they're protected.

Urgent Care

For urgent but non-emergency care, you can seek out a local urgent care facility. Urgent cares have extended hours, usually including weekends, and capabilities that fall between a routine GP surgery and the full hospital set up.

After Hours Care

In case of an emergency, call 1-1-1 for help.

In case of a serious illness or injury, hospitals operate emergency departments that operate on a triage system. In Auckland, children's emergencies are typically directed to Starship.

Healthline is the first stop in non-emergency situations and available in a range of languages through interpreter services. You'll be connected with a nurse, who triage and advise. The service is free and always available.

We wish you much health!

HOW TO: Dining Out

Eating out - especially grabbing a coffee and pastry at a cafe - is a much loved Kiwi tradition. As with anywhere in the world, it's a more pleasant experience if you know the unspoken cultural expectations, so we're sharing them here!

Table service or counter service? It depends. Often it's obvious with a sign to wait to be seated or menus on tables or trays at a counter. If you can't figure it out, know that even locals sometimes have to ask.

Water. Sparkling (tap) water is the norm at many seated restaurants. If you're offered sparking bottled water, know that you'll be paying per bottle. If you prefer still water, be prepared to ask for it. In cafes, look for a station with cups and glass bottles of still water that you can serve yourself.

Coffee. You might already know what a flat white is before landing in NZ, but here is the full guide to our coffee lingo.

Service. Feel free to ask anyone working in the restaurant if you need to place your order or need cutlery or have a question. Staff tend to work as a team, so your table probably isn't assigned to just one person.

Technology. Restaurants and cafes are typically - but not always - technology-free spots. Cafes are not guaranteed to have wifi. It's a good idea to look around and see if others are on computers before assuming that it's a good place to work.

Payment. You don't have to wait for the bill to be presented. In fact, even at very fancy restaurants, it's rare to ever have a bill presented. Instead, you pay at the counter (usually either the bar cash register or at the host stand) on the way out. There will sometimes be a line for a tip, but tipping is not customary.

Splitting the bill. If you're out with a group, it's common for everyone to pay individually at the counter - the restaurant can just charge you for the things you ordered. If you're out with friends for a small bite or a coffee, it's common to take turns 'shouting' (paying the bill for the whole group). If you invite someone to coffee for an informational interview, plan to pay for both drinks.

The Value of Informal Connections

It's said that, in New Zealand, it's not what you know but who you know. Small chats with colleagues or neighbours may result in you finding a great builder for your home project or getting an introduction that leads to your next job.

Informal networking is practically a national hobby.

In the work place, there are typically regular opportunities for these valuable interactions.

If you can join colleagues for 'morning tea' (a mid-morning tea or coffee and a small snack) or 'work drinks' at the end of the day, do it. It's fine to go and have a juice or water if you're not into caffeine or alcohol.

What's important is that you're regularly making yourself available for friendly casual conversations with your team. You get to know them better; they get to know you better. The connection is good for everyone.