New Zealand: Canterbury Tales

New Zealand’s health and disability system is mainly funded from general taxation. It has a public and private healthcare system, which both offer high standards of care. In the public system, essential healthcare services are provided free or subsidized for some community services (including general practice) for all New Zealanders and people in New Zealand on a work permit valid for 2 years or longer. Emergency care is free as are specialist services and non-urgent surgery although access is prioritised on the basis of clinical need. Alongside the public system, private healthcare offers access to private hospitals for the treatment of urgent and non-urgent conditions. The network of private hospitals and clinics provides a range of services that include recuperative care, elective procedures and a range of general surgical procedures. There are also private radiology clinics and testing laboratories.