Cost of Maternity Care
Maternity care is provided free of charge by midwives and GPs in New Zealand if:
- You are a New Zealand resident or citizen
- You are an Australian resident or citizen who has lived, or is intending to live, in New Zealand for a minimum of 2 years
- Your baby’s father is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident (or an Australian citizen or permanent resident who is living in New Zealand and intends to stay for two years or longer).
To ensure you receive free maternity care make sure you bring your passport to your first visit with your LMC and to the hospital you deliver at. For more information go to: http://www.health.govt.nz/new-zealand-health-system/eligibility-publicly-funded-health-services
You may be charged for:
- A negative urine pregnancy test
- Care provided by a private obstetrician
- Additional room services provided by a maternity facility or an extended stay in a maternity facility.
- Some tests in a private laboratory
- Ultrasound scans
- Antenatal classes
- All your care, if you are not a New Zealand citizen or do not have permanent residency and if your baby’s father is not a New Zealand citizen or does not have permanent residency or is not an Australian citizen or permanent resident who is living in New Zealand and intends to stay for two years or longer.
If your LMC recommends any tests or treatments ask if there are any charges.