New funding to reward GP clinics delivering results
New Zealand will allocate $67.3 million in 2026/27 to reward GP clinics for meeting targets in child immunisation, cancer screening, and smoking cessation support.
Health Minister Simeon Brown announced that general practice clinics will receive additional funding this year if they increase child immunisations, cervical cancer screenings, and support for smokers to quit. The initiative is part of a broader $296 million investment in general practice over the past two years, aiming to improve preventive care and patient outcomes. Clinics will be rewarded for both progress and achieved targets, ensuring support reaches all communities regardless of starting point.
A total of $67.3 million is available for the 2026/27 general practice package, with $40 million directly tied to performance metrics. GP clinics and Primary Health Organisations will qualify for funding by meeting or advancing toward specific health targets. The government emphasised that these measures are designed to enhance access to care, reduce emergency department visits, and improve early detection of serious conditions.
Health New Zealand will monitor broader system performance, including clinic enrolment accessibility, workforce capacity, and patient experience, though these factors will not influence funding this year. Additional metrics such as emergency department presentations, avoidable hospital admissions, and vaccination rates for those aged 65 and over will also be tracked to assess overall system effectiveness.
Results will be reported by rurality, ethnicity, district, and deprivation levels to identify areas needing targeted support. The government stated the approach aims to provide clear improvement guidance for clinics without increasing administrative burden, while building public confidence in primary healthcare delivery across New Zealand.