Healthcare system in New Zealand is huge and still expanding. It is among world’s top 20 healthcare systems providing universal and free healthcare with the 1938 Social Security Act. Health system in New Zealand is strong as depicted by the following qualities.

A publicly funded, universal health system with a committed and highly trained workforce

health services with a strong focus on primary care and a widely supported focus on wellness

A unique public health and no-fault accident compensation system, which serves the whole population throughout their lives

A strong desire for health and social services to work better together

Local decision-makers in district health boards (DHBs) who are well-positioned to respond to community needs and integrate services

A growing best practice evidence base developed through research

M?ori and Pacific health providers, connected to their communities and modeling integrated approaches to health. a publicly funded, universal health system with a committed and highly trained workforce   (Ministry of Health New Zealand)  

Even though the healthcare system has these qualities, the New Zealand healthcare market is still challenged by numerous modern-day aspects. The government believes providing universal health services and public health initiatives along with tailored approaches to some services will benefit the future healthcare of New Zealand.

New Zealand also has a strong and growing knowledge base, which is evolving rapidly through technology and as a factor in developing infrastructure. As a part of telecommunication technological development, telehealth services also emerge in the New Zealand healthcare industry.

What is Telehealth?

Telehealth, also known as telemedicine, is a popular way of providing health services to the public. This system came into the limelight during the Covid-19 era, when there was lack of access to primary healthcare. But nowadays, the process has extended to many areas in the health sector. This is a way of using remote monitoring, sending and receiving messages to the healthcare provider, and also from this method the patient has been able to talk to the doctor live over the phone. Therefore, there is no need to meet the doctor in person in an office for a consultation. Telehealth supports long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration. Technologies included for providing telehealth are videoconferencing, the internet, store-and-forward imaging, streaming media, and terrestrial and wireless communications.

 What is Telehealth in New Zealand?

The national telehealth service of New Zealand was officially launched on November 2015 in order to commence an integrated and innovative virtual digital health service. This is a multi-year evaluation project of the National Telehealth Service (NTS). The evaluation is comprised of three phases: the post-implementation review, evaluation of Healthline and injury related services and evaluation of mental health and addiction services. From this service, the New Zealander’s will access virtual health information, advice and support from trained health professionals at the ease of staying indoors and without commuting. As of 2018, teams of registered nurses, health advisors, mental health nurses, psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, and other clinical staff were providing professional, free of charge, 24 x 7 health, mental health, and addictions support across a range of channels – including phone, text, webchat and email.

Ministry of Health, New Zealand has mentioned the purpose and objectives of the National Telehealth Services as follows:

Be a trusted part of the health care system that offers a confidential, reliable, and consistent source of advice on health care in order to enable Consumers to manage their health care in an appropriate manner

Facilitate the right person delivering the right care at the right time and at the right place

Increase cost-effectiveness in the health care sector and reduce demand on other health services

Have the flexibility to adapt and develop over time to meet the changing needs of users and technology.

The Ministry of Health and Homecare Medical (New Zealand) Limited Partnership entered to this ten-year agreement in September 2015 to provide the National Telehealth Service. Homecare Medical is owned by primary health organisations ProCare and Pegasus Health.

While the Ministry of Health is lead agency, the National Telehealth Service is supported by other funding partners such as ACC, Health Promotion Agency, Ministry of Social Development and the Department of Corrections.

The range of services providing in the telehealth New Zealand includes health advice, stop smoking support, alcohol and other drug counselling support, mental health, depression and anxiety support, gambling counselling support, poisons advice, immunization advice, and secondary services to enhance capacity in emergency responses.

What is Psychology?

Scientific study of mind and behavior is known as Psychology. Psychologists study this discipline in order to understand mental processes, brain functions, and behavior of human beings. There are various categories in Psychology such as Clinical Psychology, Community Psychology, Educational and developmental Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Health Psychology, Organisational Psychology, Psychologist and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and Sports Psychology.

How to become a Psychologist in New Zealand?

- Must have completed a recognized qualification in Psychology (or equivalent)

- Must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia

- Adhere to the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics

- Complete continuing professional development and meet all requirements of the Psychology Board of Australia.

- Must adhere to the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics.

Other than the above-mentioned qualifications, if the Psychologist wants to pursue a specialization in a certain area, then the practitioner must further fulfill secondary requirements.

Career Opportunities for Psychologists in New Zealand 

There are a handful of opportunities for Psychologists in New Zealand. Clinical psychologist, educational psychologist, organisational psychologist, and general psychologist positions are available in New Zealand for International or Local psychologists. There are various ranges of employers which psychologists can choose from, once they are fulfilled the required qualification. When it comes to job security and salary ranges, psychologist positions make prominent in the healthcare industry, as trainee psychologists usually earn $56,000 to $59,000 a year, qualified psychologists usually earn $72,000 to $103,000 and senior psychologists, who may also supervise staff, earn from $106,000 to $125,000.