New Zealand's healthcare system is primarily public, funded by general taxation and offering universal access to hospital care and subsidized primary care. General practices operate as private businesses but receive government funding to deliver subsidized services, with co-payment required for some visits. There is also a significant private sector, especially for elective procedures and faster access to specialists, funded out-of-pocket or by private insurance. E-medication and telehealth have scaled rapidly, and digital integration with national health IT systems is ongoing.

Doctors in New Zealand are regulated by the Medical Council of New Zealand, requiring ongoing continuing medical education for re-certification. Privacy is governed under the Health Information Privacy Code, and practices must comply with national and regional policy on billing and claims processing. Digital health records must be compatible with the National Health Index (NHI), and e-prescribing is standard. Practices are inspected or audited periodically, and malpractice insurance is advised though not mandatory.