There are many ways you can get the right care and advice for you and your whānau when you feel unwell, have an injury or a health concern.
E tautoko ana te hauora o Aotearoa
Supporting health and wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand
Who can help
Life-threatening emergencies
In any critical or life-threatening emergency call 111 for an ambulance.
Critical or life-threatening emergencies include:
- chest pain or tightness (they may also feel pain or tightness in their arm, jaw, neck or tummy)
- difficulty breathing
- choking
- sudden weakness or difficulty talking (this may be a stroke )
- fainting or unconsciousness (not being awake)
- severe pain
- severe bleeding or bleeding that won’t stop.
- serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
- severe burn.
You can also go straight to an emergency department (ED).
If it is not life-threatening
If you are not experiencing a life-threatening emergency, but cannot wait to see your doctor or usual healthcare provider (or you do not have one) go to an after hours or urgent medical centre. They can help with most medical problems and accident care including:
- bad cuts that may need stitching
- sprains or minor bone breaks as many have x-ray available on-site
- minor head injuries
You do not need an appointment but might have to wait.
Find your nearest accident and urgent medical centre — Healthpoint (external link)
Call Healthline for free
Healthline provides a 24 hour, 7 days a week, free over-the-phone health service you can call for trusted health advice, information and treatment from professional healthcare providers.
Go to your usual GP or use an online doctor
If you are enrolled with a general practice (GP), their doctors, nurses and other team members can look after most of your healthcare. Same-day appointments may be available.
If you cannot wait to see your doctor or usual healthcare provider (or you do not have one) you can book a same-day appointment through an online doctor.
These appointments usually take place through a video app or a phone call. They can prescribe medicine and send prescriptions to your nearest pharmacy.
Go to an after hours or urgent medical centre
If you are not experiencing a life-threatening emergency, but cannot wait to see your doctor or usual healthcare provider (or you do not have one) go to an after hours or urgent medical centre. They can help with most medical problems and accident care including:
- bad cuts that may need stitching
- sprains or minor bone breaks as many have x-ray available on-site
- minor head injuries
You do not need an appointment but might have to wait.
Find your nearest accident and urgent medical centre — Healthpoint (external link)
Go to a pharmacy
Get advice on medicines and common issues like:
- coughs and colds
- bladder or eye infections
- minor cuts and grazes
- emergency birth control.
They can suggest over-the-counter treatment, fill prescriptions, and some give immunisations. You do not need an appointment.
Emergency contraception
You can get the emergency contraceptive pill over the counter at most pharmacies or from your usual GP or healthcare provider. If you are 22 or under, you can get it free from a Sexual Wellbeing Aoteroa clinic. It is is most effective if you take it within 24 hours after unprotected sex, but it can prevent pregnancy if taken up to 3 days after.
Find a pharmacy that provides the emergency contraceptive pill — Healthpoint (external link)
Call Healthline for free
Healthline provides a 24 hour, 7 days a week, free over-the-phone health service you can call for trusted health advice, information and treatment from professional healthcare providers.
Go to a pharmacy
Get advice on medicines and common issues like:
- coughs and colds
- bladder or eye infections
- minor cuts and grazes
- emergency birth control.
They can suggest over-the-counter treatment, fill prescriptions, and some give immunisations. You do not need an appointment.
Go to your usual GP or use an online doctor
If you are enrolled with a general practice (GP), their doctors, nurses and other team members can look after most of your healthcare. Call to get advice or make an appointment.
If you cannot wait to see your doctor or usual healthcare provider (or you do not have one) you can book an appointment through an online doctor.
These appointments usually take place through a video app or a phone call. They can prescribe medicine and send prescriptions to your nearest pharmacy.
Find information online
There are lots of New Zealand health websites that can help with generic health concerns such as symptoms and treatments.
Search this website (internal link)
Urgent mental health support
If you, or someone you know, needs immediate help:
- call 111
- go to your nearest emergency department (ED)
- contact your local mental health crisis assessment team.
Talk to someone in person
Book an appointment with your usual GP or healthcare provider, or talk to a trusted healthcare professional. They can help you through next steps, including referrals to mental health services.
Māori, Pacific People and 12 to 24-year-olds can access free mental health services with no referral. Visit the Access and Choice website to find out how.
Call a helpline
Free call or text 1737 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to talk with a trained counsellor. This service is free and confidential.
Visit a mental health website
depression.org.nz provides information, validation and practical advice for those navigating depression and anxiety.
The Mental Health Foundation has lots of advice on how to find support for different circumstances as well as information about different mental health conditions.
Aroā Wellbeing is a resource hub with mindful tools created by rangatahi for rangatahi to support wellbeing.
depression.org.nz (external link)
Emergencies
If you are concerned about yourself or your pēpi contact your midwife or doctor straight away.
If you do not have a midwife or doctor, go to the emergency department if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:
- heavy bleeding (soaking pads)
- passing blood clots
- having pain.
Pregnancy advice
Talk to your midwife or doctor if you have any concerns or questions. If you do not have a midwife, you can search for one on the ‘Find your Midwife’ website. The New Zealand College of Midwives website also has lots of information and resources.
If you do not have a midwife or doctor, you can call Healthline. Healthline provides a 24 hour, 7 days a week, free over-the-phone health service you can call for trusted health advice, information and treatment from professional healthcare providers.
Mental health support
Talk to your midwife or doctor if you are worried about your mental health. You can also free call or text 1737 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to talk with a trained counsellor. This service is free and confidential.
Emergency contraception
You can get the emergency contraceptive pill over the counter at most pharmacies or from your usual GP or healthcare provider. If you are 22 or under, you can get it free from a Sexual Wellbeing Aoteroa clinic. It is is most effective if you take it within 24 hours after unprotected sex, but it can prevent pregnancy if taken up to 3 days after.
Find a pharmacy that provides the emergency contraceptive pill — Healthpoint (external link)
If your pregnancy is unplanned
If you are thinking about having an abortion, DECIDE has the information you need about abortion services, abortion care, and how to find a provider near you.
Healthline
Healthline is a free over-the-phone health service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you or someone in your family is unwell, you can call Healthline and speak to experienced nurses and paramedics for health advice and information about what to do next.
Protect your pēpi from whooping cough
Protecting your tamariki from whooping cough starts during pregnancy.
By getting immunised when you are pregnant, you will protect your pēpi until they can have their first immunisations when they are 6 weeks old. This is because your immunity passes to your baby through the placenta.