New Zealand's public health system is good by world standards.
Comprehensive life-long medical care is available to everyone. All essential health care is provided free through the public health system. This means that while some routine services, such as visits to local doctors and dentists, have to be paid for, more costly services, such as hospital treatment are, with minor exceptions, available free to all residents.
The government also funds subsidies for visits to the local doctor and prescriptions for young children, people who require frequent healthcare and those on low incomes.
Accidents happen
If we injure ourselves at work, at home, in the car, playing sport or doing any other activity, our government-legislated accident compensation scheme (ACC) helps pay for our hospital, doctor, physiotherapist or any specialist treatment. If the injury is serious, payment will also be made to offset the loss of wages. This removes the need for us to seek redress through the courts if we get injured through the actions of others.