Iwi ink health insurance deal with nib

Auckland iwi Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has inked a deal with nib New Zealand to provide free universal private health insurance for all members of the hapū to help improve their health and wellbeing outcomes.

The agreement will give all New Zealand-based registered members of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei base cover for surgical and medical (non-surgical) hospitalisation, a specialist option which covers specialist consultations and diagnostic procedures that don’t require hospitalisation, and an everyday option to assist with some day-to-day health costs like GP visits, dental, physiotherapy and optical costs.

Under the nib scheme, hapū members will get faster access to private hospitals and help with the costs of non-urgent medical procedures. Joining the scheme is free for ngā uri o Tuperiri (registered members of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) and all their insurance premiums and any payable excess will be paid for by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.

nib Chief Executive Officer, Rob Hennin, says the scheme is the first of its kind and will help members of the hapū to overcome existing barriers to health, wellness and social care.