ABSTRACT
Socialized medicine is alive but ailing in New Zealand, providing high-quality care at a cost that should be the envy of every developed nation. New Zealand is primarily an agricultural, relatively affluent country with a democratic parliamentary system of government and a strong egalitarian bent among its people. About 80% of hospital beds in New Zealand are in public hospitals where hospital and specialist services are available without direct cost to the patient. Multi-institutional management has existed in New Zealand for decades: public hospitals are grouped regionally, and each region is managed by a hospital board or by a new area health board. Private hospitals are playing an increasingly important role in the health care system of New Zealand, especially since government spending on health services has slowed and waiting time for nonemergency surgery has increased. There are presently two medical schools in New Zealand (in Dunedin and Auckland) and two clinical schools (in Christchurch and Wellington).
