New Zealand healthcare shows improved wait times and rising insurance costs

New Zealand is seeing divergent trends in its healthcare landscape. A report by MartinJenkins, commissioned by the Financial Services Council (FSC), highlights the growing role of private health and life insurance as a complement to the public system. The report notes that the average health insurance claim per member rose 75 per cent since 2021, reaching $1,921 in 2025. However, rising costs are impacting affordability, with policy terminations increasing from 7 per cent in 2022 to 9 per cent last year.

Simultaneously, the New Zealand Government reports progress in meeting national health targets, particularly in the South Island. Health Minister Simeon Brown stated that South Canterbury has become the first district to meet the 2030 target for specialist assessments and cancer treatment, achieving these goals four years ahead of schedule. Other improvements include higher childhood immunization rates in the Southern region and reduced waiting times for elective surgeries and emergency department stays across several South Island districts.