12month prescriptions now live!

A big milestone for Aotearoa’s health system went live this week.

From 1 February, New Zealanders can now receive prescriptions that last up to 12 months — a simple change that will make a real and lasting difference for whānau across the motu.

This shift means people with stable, long‑term conditions won’t need to return to their GP as often just to renew regular medicines. That means less time off work or school, reduced travel, and for many, cost savings of up to $105 per year on repeat GP visits. It also brings greater flexibility and easier access to the medicines people rely on — especially in rural or remote communities.

We are incredibly proud of the work our Whānau Tahi team has done to help bring this nationwide change to life. Their dedication and late‑night effort ensured everything went smoothly and on time.

A huge thank you to everyone involved — a great example of collaboration across the sector delivering meaningful impact for our communities.