The new primary care health target has been developed with the primary care sector and came into effect on 1 July 2026.
The target is:
more than 80 percent of people will be able to access an appointment with a general practice provider within one week.
The focus is on general practice because of its key role in delivering improved health outcomes for patients.
The Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand have worked with the sector to develop and implement the target.
Health New Zealand has published an implementation plan, which sets out the activities and milestones to make progress toward achieving the target by 2030.
See The Primary Care Health Target: Implementation Plan/July 2026 (PDF, 789 KB).
Data collected from participating practices from 1 July will count towards the first measurement of the target. Results will be aggregated and published in late 2026, providing the first national view of access to primary care appointments.
Health targets are designed to support the delivery of better health outcomes for New Zealanders and improve the performance of our health services throughout the country.
The primary care access target is in addition to the five existing health targets, which came into effect on 1 July 2024, and the five mental health and addiction targets.
Primary care hadn’t had its own target for patient access previously but primary care is fundamental to keeping New Zealanders well.
Delivery of the target will be supported by the Government’s investments in primary care and other initiatives to help New Zealanders get the care they need, when they need it.
