Accessing Student Health Service for international students
Information for international students who need to access the Student Health Service.
Register online
Before you can use our Student Health Service, you must be registered with us.
Once registered, you can easily book appointments with our Doctors, Nurses, Counsellors, Social Workers, or specialist mental health and addiction staff.
International students on the Hamilton campus
Please phone us to book an appointment before coming to Student Health Service at the Hamilton Campus.
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07 838 4037 or 0800 WAIKATO option 3
If you have a cough, sore throat, fever, or runny nose, do not come inside the clinic. This is to prevent the spread of infection to others in the waiting room, including our staff. Phone us first, and we will explain what to do.
Book your appointment three to four weeks in advance, as there is usually a wait time.
- If you take regular medication, request your next prescription when you have about four weeks of medication left to avoid running out.
- If you need a follow-up appointment, book this at reception before you leave the clinic.
Doctor appointments are fifteen minutes and focused on one main issue. If you have several health concerns to discuss, it is best to book more than one appointment.
International students on the Tauranga campus
If you study at the Tauranga Campus, you can use the Tauranga Student Health Service.
If you are referred to South City Medical Centre by our Tauranga Student Health Nurse:
- You will need to pay for the appointment
- Then apply for reimbursement through your medical insurance provider.
What should I bring to my first doctor’s appointment
Your first visit will be a 30-minute appointment. It is very important to share your full health history, including any health conditions, even if you are not currently taking medication for them. This is to keep you safe and make sure we prescribe correctly.
Please bring:
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A letter from your doctor (in English) with your diagnosis and medication details
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Copies of any test results or clinic letters, if available
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If possible, email these to medcent@waikato.ac.nz before your appointment.
In New Zealand, Nurse Prescribers can often see you sooner than a doctor and can treat common concerns.
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For weight or blood pressure checks, please book a nurse appointment
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Further information about Nurse Prescriber and Nurse appointments.
Where to go for immigration medicals
Immigration medicals are not done at Student Health Service.
They can only be completed at the following approved clinics in Hamilton and Tauranga:
- Chest x-rays can be done at River Radiology
How the health system in New Zealand works
Student Health Service uses the same health services and resources as other clinics and hospitals in the community. Due to high demand on the health system in New Zealand, there are often waiting times of several weeks to months for appointments, especially if you need to see a specialist.
Health system FAQs
No, in New Zealand, specialist referrals and medical investigations aren’t done by request. You’ll need to book an appointment to see a doctor first. The doctor will assess your symptoms and decide if any tests or referrals are needed.
If your doctor or any other clinician thinks you need specialist care, they will send a referral. The specialist team will decide how urgent your case is after assessing the referral:
- Urgent cases are seen more quickly.
- Non-urgent cases can take weeks to months for an appointment, depending on demand.
If you need immediate medical attention, call an ambulance or go to an Urgent Care clinic. Information about where to go for urgent and after-hours care.
Book an appointment with one of our doctors if you have a medical condition and need further prescriptions and health care in New Zealand. Keep seeing the same doctor each time:
- This makes sure your care is consistent, and your doctor understands your full health history.
- To follow up on your test results and adjust your care as needed.
Routine health screening or general check-ups are not offered to international students unless you have symptoms or a specific health concern.
If you would like a general check-up for personal reasons, you can book one; however:
- You will need to pay for the consultation and any tests yourself - insurance does not cover these costs.