Child Health in New Zealand

Parent resources

Take advantage of the parenting and health services that are available to support New Zealand families. Many of these services and resources are free.

Free 24-hour health advice phonelines

Healthline - 0800 611 116
Healthline is a free telephone health information service for all the family. The service is staffed by registered nurses who will assess your health needs, and give information and advice to help you decide on the best level of care.

PlunketLine - 0800 933 922
PlunketLine is a toll-free telephone advice service available to all families, whānau and caregivers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 0800 933 922.

Free health checks for children (0-5 years)

Learn more about the free Well Child health check service for children throughout New Zealand.

How to choose and access health services

Your Choices...Your Health
Find out what you can expect to pay, how you can access and choose healthcare services and how you can be involved in the care of yourself and your family (as seen on TV on the Family Health Diary).

Parenting support websites

Plunket
Plunket is New Zealand's largest provider of support services for the development, health and wellbeing of children under the age of 5.

Parenting support - Families Commission
Parenting hints and tips for healthy living and keeping safe.

Kidshealth
kidshealth is a parent support website. It is a joint initiative between the Starship Foundation and the Paediatric Society of New Zealand.

Parenting SA
Parent Easy Guides and helpful hints on parenting issues (south Australia Government).

Health conditions and treatments

BestTreatments
Reliable, user-friendly information about medical conditions and treatments.

Health education resources

HealthEd
Educational brochures and other resources on how to stay healthy. These resources can be ordered online (many are free), or downloaded in PDF.

Emergency and medical services

Emergencies – Dial 111
For an ambulance, fire or Police.

Poisoning helpline
In case of poisoning, phone 0800 POISON (0800 764 766).

Doctor, medical centre or hospital

White Pages – phone book: Refer to the ‘Registered Medical Practitioners & Medical Centres’ or ‘Hospitals & other service providers’ coloured sections near the front.
White Pages online: Use this to find contact details if you know the name of the doctor or medical service.
Yellow Pages – phonebook: Refer to the ‘Medical clinics’ or ‘Hospitals’ sections in the main index near the front.
Yellow Pages online: Use this to find contact details for services such as ‘Medical clinics’ or ‘Hospitals’.

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Page last updated: 13 May 2009