New Zealand has a public health system. Hospital treatment is subsidised and in most instances is free to residents. Medical services are not free for visitors, who are advised to take out medical insurance.

Registered medical practitioners, medical centres, hospitals and urgent pharmacies are listed in the 'Medical' section at the front of telephone directories.

Chemists are open only during normal shopping hours, but may display addresses of urgent (late night) pharmacies. Hours of operation of these pharmacies are also listed under 'Urgent pharmacies' in the 'Hospitals' section in the front of each region's phone books.

Emergency Services are also listed in the front of each region's phone books.
In case of emergency, 111 is the number for ambulance services in main centres (as well as for the police and fire service).

For 24-hour advice on poisons and chemicals contact:
The National Poisons Centre
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine
University of Otago
Freephone: 0800-POISON, 0800-764 766
Phone: +64-3-479 7248
Fax: +64-3-477 0509
poisons@otago.ac.nz
www.poisons.co.nz

Smoking
To protect people from the health effects of second-hand smoke, smoking in all hospitality venues including bars, restaurants, cafes and casinos is prohibited in New Zealand.
Smoking is also banned in all offices, shops, shopping centres, aeroplanes, public transport and taxis.