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Child Health in New Zealand

Information for Parents about Well Child Services

You and your child have the right to use the free Well Child/Tamariki Ora Service, which will support you to ensure your child grows and develops to their full potential.

The service is offered free to all New Zealand children from birth to five years, and includes health education and promotion, health protection and clinical assessment, and family/whānau care and support.

Choose a Well Child/Tamariki Ora Provider
Providers of Well Child services include registered nurses and community health workers/kaiawhina who have specific training in child health.

In most areas there are a number of providers for you to choose from. Ask your Lead Maternity Carer (midwife and/or GP) for a list of providers in your region. Or you can contact your local District Health Board.

Receive a free Well Child/Tamariki Ora Healthbook
At or just before birth, your midwife or GP will provide you with a Well Child/Tamariki Ora Healthbook. This book belongs to you and your child.

In the Healthbook you will find helpful information about different stages in your child’s development, as well as places to record all the special and important things that happen to your child in their first five years. Take this book with you every time you take your child to an appointment with a doctor or nurse.

If you have not received a Well Child/Tamariki Ora Healthbook, ask your GP or Well Child Provider for a copy.

Timing of the health checks
The timing of the following Well Child/Tamariki Ora health checks may change, as the Ministry of Health is currently reviewing the Well Child Tamariki Ora Service. However, there will still be 12 core Well Child checks from birth to four-to-five years of age.

Birth to four-to-six weeks
From birth to four-to-six weeks, there are four Well Child health checks provided by your midwife or GP.

Birth
24 hours
5 days
2-4 weeks

Four-to-six weeks to three years
From four-to-six weeks to three years, there are a further seven core Well Child health checks available from your Well Child Provider at important stages in your child’s life.

4-6 weeks
3 months
5 months
8-10 months
15 months
21-24 months
3 years

B4 School Checks
From February 2008 the Ministry of Health and District Health Boards will be gradually replacing the School New Entrant Check with the B4 School Check as the eighth and final Well Child health check.

Please see the B4 School Check page for more information on the check and when it will be available in your area.

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Page last updated: 23 January 2009