10 December 2025
David Farrar
[FYI request #33096 email]
Tēnā koe David,
Your request for official information, reference: HNZ0010504
Thank you for your email on 2 December 2025, asking Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora for the
following under the Official Information Act 1982 (the OIA):
I am seeking information on the number of visits NZers aged 15+ make to a General
Practitioner.
Specifically I would like the following info for the last year.
* Number of 15+ NZers who saw a GP once in the year
* Number of 15+ NZers who saw a GP twice in the year
* Number of 15+ NZers who saw a GP three times in the year
* Number of 15+ NZers who saw a GP more than three times in the year
* Number of 15+ NZers who did not see a GP at all in the year
Response
Health NZ does not hold the information requested and there is no requirement under the OIA for
agencies to create new information, compile information they do not hold, as such your request is
refused under section 18(g) of the OIA.
However, you may be interested in the publicly available information outlined below.
NZ Health Survey
Information in the NZ Health Survey includes some figures around the percentage of people who
used a GP in the 12 months prior, this can be found here:
https://www.health.govt.nz/publications/annual-update-of-key-results-202324-new-zealand-health-
survey.
Qualifying Encounters (QEs) and Qualifying Encounter Dates (QEDs)
QEs are a measure of First Level Service Consultations derived from the QEDs recorded in the
National Enrolment Service (NES). Information on the NES can be found on our website: National
Enrolment Service – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
First Level Service Consultations is formally defined in Part H of the PHO Agreement (Definitions)
found on our website: Primary Health Organisation Services Agreement – Health New Zealand |
Te Whatu Ora
It includes a wide range of patient interactions with general practice including face to face consults,
phone and online appointments, prescription requests, immunisation and more.
We have recently published data, along with definition, on general practice qualifying encounters
on our website here: Primary Care indicators – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
How to get in touch
If you have any questions, you can contact us at [email address].
If you are not happy with this response, you have the right to make a complaint to the
Ombudsman. Information about how to do this is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
by phoning 0800 802 602.
As this information may be of interest to other members of the public, Health NZ may proactively
release a copy of this response on our website. All requester data, including your name and
contact details, will be removed prior to release.
Nāku iti noa, nā
Danielle Coe Manager Government Services (OIA)
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
TeWhatuOra.govt.nz
Health NZ, PO Box 793,
Wellington 6140, New Zealand
