NZ citizens are eligible for the full range ofpublicly funded health and disability services.

• NZ passport OR ‍
• NZ certificate of identity OR ‍
• NZ birth certificate OR‍
• Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau birth certificate OR‍
• NZ certificate of citizenship OR ‍
• Certified copy of a descent registration certificate OR social security benefit papers (except emergency benefit)

AND two forms of supporting identity information, one with a photo ( unless passport is provided ).

People who hold residence class visas are eligible for the full range of publicly funded health and disability services.

NB: Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents are automatically issued resident visas on arrival in NZ, but their eligibility is dealt with in two sections below ( ie. Full or limited eligibility )

• Passport with resident visa OR ‍
• Passport with permanent resident visa OR ‍
• Social security benefit papers (except emergency benefit)

AND two forms of supporting identity information, one with a photo ( unless main proof is passport ).

If they became residents before December 2010, they will hold a residence permit. This is now called a residence class visa.

Citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia and people holding a current permanent residence visa(includes a resident return visa) issued by the Government of Australia are eligible for the full range of publicly funded health and disability services

• IF they are able to demonstrate they have or intend to spend at least two consecutive years in New Zealand.

• Australian passport, OR
• other passport with Australian permanent resident/resident return visa

‍AND Evidence that New Zealand has been/will be their principal place of residence for at least two years ( e.g. employment, house purchase ).

The two years is counted from their arrival date in New Zealand.

A work visa holder whose visa or visas allow them to stay in New Zealand for at least two consecutive years is eligible for the full range of publicly funded health and disability services.

A current work visa that allows for a total continuous stay of at least 2 years OR

A current work visa and other visa/permit held immediately prior that allows a consecutive 24 month stay.

NB: if their visa was issued before December 2010, it will be called a work permit.

An interim visa holder who was eligible immediately before their interim visa started is eligible for publicly funded health and disability services.

Interim visa letter plus evidence of eligibility before the interim visa ( eg. a letter from Immigration NZ with information on visas held prior to the interim visa, including time spent outside NZ ).

NB: An assessment of former eligibility will need to be made.

A person who:

• has refugee or protected person status in New Zealand, OR ‍
• is in the process of having an application for refugee or protection status determined by Immigration NZ, OR ‍
• is in the process of having an appeal against refusal of refugee or protection status determined by the Immigration and Protection Tribunal OR‍
• is a victim or suspected victim of a people trafficking offence.

Refugee travel document issued under the Passport Act 1992 OR Certificate of Identity ( COI )

AND

Proof of refugee status/application such as a recent letter from Immigration NZ confirming that the person:

• has been recognised as a refugee OR ‍
• has a current application for refugee status OR

A recent letter from the Immigration and Protection Tribunal confirming the person is appealing against a refusal of refugee status.

If the CoI states the person has residency status, the INZ letters are not necessary.

OR

A letter from the Police stating the person is a victim or suspected victim of people trafficking.

A NZ Aid Programmestudent, studying in NZ, receiving Official Development Assistance funding AND:

• their partner OR ‍
• their dependant child, aged 17 years or younger.

Passport  with a current NZ student visa

AND

• Documents that indicate the person is a NZ Aid Programme student, or the partner or child of one.

For  partners and dependants:

• Evidence of Official Development Assistance funding on the basis of relationship.

A student studying in New Zealand and funded by a New Zealand university under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan is eligible for publicly funded services.

NB: Children of Commonwealth Scholarship holders under this scheme are NOT ELIGIBLE for publicly funded health services [unless they meet the eligibility criteria in their own right.]

• Passport with a student visa

AND

Documents that confirm the person is currently studying under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan.

A child under 18 who does not meet one of the above criteria, but whose parent, legal guardian, person applying to be their guardian or adoptive parent is eligible as a:

1. New Zealand citizen
2. New Zealand residence class visa holder
3. an eligible Australian citizen/Australian permanent resident (as above – if staying two years)
4. an eligible work visa holder
5. an eligible interim visa holder
6. a refugee or protected person or victim/suspected victim of people trafficking (as above)
7. a NZ Aid programme student.

Evidence that the child is in the care and control of an eligible adult, who is their legal guardian, parent or in the process of adopting the child or becoming their legal guardian. ( Birth certificate, adoption papers, guardianship papers or, for a child being adopted: CYF social worker confirmation or NZ Family Court confirmation ). See relevant section for proof of adult’s eligibility.

A participant in the Ministry of Education Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship Scheme is eligible for publicly funded health and disability services while participating in this scheme.

Partners and children of foreign language teaching assistants are NOT ELIGIBLE for publicly funded health services unless they meet one of the other criteria.

• Passport with a current work visa

AND

‘To whom it may concern’ letter signed by International Languages Aotearoa NZ or Uniservices stating that the person is currently a teacher on this scheme.