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Child Health in New Zealand

Well Child Services


The main objective of the Well Child Tamariki Ora Framework is to support families/whānau to maximise their child's developmental potential and health status from birth to five years, establishing a strong foundation for ongoing healthy development.

The Well Child Tamariki Ora Framework covers screening, education and support services offered free to all New Zealand children from birth to five years, and their families/whānau. Well Child services include health education and promotion, health protection and clinical assessment, and family/whānau support. The services also ensure that parents are linked to other early childhood services such as Early Childhood Education and social support services, if required.

Under the current Well Child Schedule, 12 health checks are offered. Eight of these checks are offered between the ages of six weeks and five years. Additional services are also offered to first time parents and to families who are identified as needing more support.

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

The Well Child/Tamariki Ora Framework and Schedule has important linkages with lead maternity carers, primary health care providers, immunisation and the National Vision and Hearing Screening Programme.

To find out more, refer to the information below.

  • Parent information
  • Background to Well Child Services
  • Review of the Well Child framework
  • Questions and answers
  • Resources

You can contact the Well Child Team at Well_Child@moh.govt.nz

Related information

B4 School Check - A free health check for pre-schoolers that will be introduced in New Zealand during 2008. B4 School Check is a new addition to the Well Child Tamariki Ora service, and replaces the New Entrant Check that was offered in some areas.

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Page last updated: 23 January 2009



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