maternity costs in NZ

Costs of maternity services in New Zealand

Maternity care is free for New Zealand citizens, women with permanent residency, and those who have a permit for a stay of two or more years. All babies born in New Zealand are eligible for free maternity services from birth and postnatally. If you are not sure whether you are entitled to free maternity care, call freephone 0800 686 223.

There may be a charge if you choose to use private services. For example:
• Specialist services – care from a private obstetrician, paediatrician or anaesthetist, even where this care is provided within a public hospital. You will not have to pay for any care you receive from the hospital specialist service.
• Ultrasound scans – are a specialist service, and therefore, radiologists practising in private may charge you a co-payment (a charge in addition to the fee paid to the radiologist by the Government). Also, if you choose to have a scan, and there is no medical reason for it, you will be charged for the service. If you are in the second or third trimester, any referral for an ultrasound scan must come from your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) or an obstetrician.
• Laboratory tests – you may be charged a fee if you have any laboratory tests which are not routine during pregnancy.
• Ambulance service – if you use an ambulance service to go from the community to a hospital, the ambulance service will charge you a co-payment.
• Antenatal Education – if you choose to go to an education class that is not funded by the Government, it is likely there will be a charge.
• GP care – if you need to see your doctor during pregnancy for a problem that is unrelated to your pregnancy or for an existing medical problem that has become worse because of your pregnancy, you will be charged that doctor’s usual consultation fee.


Article provided courtesy of The Ministry of Health