[nightfever]

Can I be a bit controversial and ask why UK citizens have to have medicals?
Australia and UK have reciprocal health care agreements with NZ.
Do Australians who come to work in New Zealand have to have medicals?
Do New Zealand citizens who have lived in the UK for most of their lives need medicals when they return to NZ?
If I was in NZ as a visitor and was taken ill, then as a UK citizen I would get the same treatment (basically free) as a NZ citizen.

[Trigirl]

If I was in NZ as a visitor and was taken ill, then as a UK citizen I would get the same treatment (basically free) as a NZ citizen.

yes you would - and then you'd go home and the UK would be responsible for your long term care. medicals aren't about whether or not you are eligible for short term medical treatment - they are about assessing if you are likely to be an expensive long term burden on the state. and also if you are likely to be prevented from working due to ill health.

[Smiler]

Can I be a bit controversial and ask why UK citizens have to have medicals?
Australia and UK have reciprocal health care agreements with NZ.
Do Australians who come to work in New Zealand have to have medicals?
Do New Zealand citizens who have lived in the UK for most of their lives need medicals when they return to NZ?
If I was in NZ as a visitor and was taken ill, then as a UK citizen I would get the same treatment (basically free) as a NZ citizen.

As Trigirl says they are a way of assessing whether you'd be a burden on the state for long term care.

They also a way of showing if you are likely to have a disease such as TB, HIV etc which could spread among the population.

I'm happy they do have medicals for immigration purposes here and looked upon mine as just another part of the process (and a cheap private health check)

[nightfever]

As Trigirl says they are a way of assessing whether you'd be a burden on the state for long term care.

They also a way of showing if you are likely to have a disease such as TB, HIV etc which could spread among the population.

I'm happy they do have medicals for immigration purposes here and looked upon mine as just another part of the process (and a cheap private health check)

So New Zealand and Australian citizens do not have TB or HIV?
So visitors to NZ do not have TB, HIV?
I know this is a NZ forum but I emmigrated to Australia in the early 80,s. Stayed for 5 years. I have since discovered that I can go and live in New Zealand and get a job there if I wanted without any medicals.

[KerryS]

Maybe I'm missing the point here, but if you don't require a medical why do you care?
Obviously people from Australia and NZ could have TB (the fact is that these countries have low incidences of TB).
The NZIS are trying to ensure that the people they do allow to come and live and reside in their country are going to be making a positive contribution to society. The medical check is just a small part of that.

[Smiler]

Can I be a bit controversial and ask why UK citizens have to have medicals?
Australia and UK have reciprocal health care agreements with NZ.
Do Australians who come to work in New Zealand have to have medicals?
Do New Zealand citizens who have lived in the UK for most of their lives need medicals when they return to NZ?
If I was in NZ as a visitor and was taken ill, then as a UK citizen I would get the same treatment (basically free) as a NZ citizen.

And may I be a bit controversial too and also ask why you care? Or are you just out to make pointless posting's?

[marcia]

I think the medicals are a great idea - as others have said, it's to stop people being allowed in who would be a drain on the health care of the country - an idea that I'm sure many people would welcome in the uk - along with a much more stringent immigration policy - but thats a whole new debate. :D

I was under the impression that you also had to have medicals to be allowed PR in Austrailia too, therefore if you are subsequently allowed into NZ, and visa versa, the checks have already been done!

Also is it only UK citizens? - isn't it anyone wanting to gain PR from wherever, that need a medical?? :confused:

[nightfever]

My main point was reciprocal agreements.
UK, Australia have reciprocal agreements with NZ over health, other countries say China , India or Germany do not. I can understand why medicals may be necessary for these countries.

[KerryS]

But the reciprocal agreement isn't really relevant when emigrating. The reciprocal health agreement is in place for visitors.

There is a table on the MOH website which outlines who is eligible to publicly funded healthcare:

http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/f872666357c511eb4c25666d000c8888/6792645d8a0b865dcc256dba00136573?OpenDocument

But, once more, the medical is a screening process. Why should the NZ govt take on a permanent responsibility for the long term care of someone who is already sick. They will simply be a burden on the public purse. NZ wants to attract immigrants who will be able to give something to the country - not take.

I understand your issue with the TB screening, but that is only a small part of the medical - and is relevant for those intending to emigrate from countries where TB is a risk factor.
The medical also picks up other issues which are not desireable - poor liver function for example.