All international students are required to have medical insurance when in New Zealand. This can be arranged before you leave home, or your institution will arrange insurance for you when you enrol.
Students from all countries (except Australia and the UK) need medical insurance to cover all treatments, including doctors, hospitals, ambulance and specialist treatments. Tertiary students can see a doctor at the student health centre on their institution’s campus, for a very reasonable fee.
New Zealand has a no-fault accident compensation scheme called ACC. It covers everyone in the country, including visitors, who suffer any injury in an accident. Whatever the cause and whoever is at fault, you will get subsidised medical and dental care, prescribed medication, X-rays and surgery. It also means you can’t sue anyone for damages.
If you drive a vehicle in New Zealand you are highly recommended to take out ‘third party’ insurance, which covers damage or injury to others caused by you.