Services for people from Pacific Island countries

Information on eligibility for publicly funded health and disability services for people from Pacific Island countries.


Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau

New Zealand citizens living in the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau who visit Aotearoa New Zealand on a temporary basis are fully eligible for publicly funded health and disability services in New Zealand.

  • You may have to wait for some services.
  • You must pay the part-charges that other New Zealanders pay.

Residents of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau who are not New Zealand citizens are not eligible for publicly funded health and disability services unless they meet other eligibility criteria.

Guide to eligibility for public health services — Health New Zealand (external link) 


Other Pacific Island countries

Non-New Zealand citizens, including citizens of other Pacific Island countries, who are living in New Zealand or visiting on a temporary basis, must meet one of the eligibility criteria in order to access publicly funded health and disability services.

Guide to eligibility for public health services — Health New Zealand (external link)


Cost of treatment schemes

Some Pacific Island countries, including Fiji, have schemes which cover the cost of treatment in other countries, including New Zealand. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) provide funding for some schemes, although they are managed by the Ministries of Health in those countries.

Information on these schemes, and eligibility, is available directly from the Ministries of Health in those countries.