Cost of private surgery in New Zealand
Know the costs of private surgery in NZ & how health insurance can help. Skip long waiting lists & get timely treatment with the right plan through Policywise.
While elective surgeries are free under New Zealand's public healthcare system, long wait times mean that patients often have to suffer months of discomfort, pain, and distress before receiving treatment. As of January 2025, over 37,000 patients were waiting more than four months for surgery. This figure included 8,617 orthopaedic and 4,656 general surgery patients.
Thousands of patients also wait a long time to see a specialist: In January 2025, over 77,000 were waiting more than four months for a first specialist assessment. Additionally, a University of Otago study commissioned by General Practice New Zealand (GNPZ) found that between 2018 and 2022, the number of rejected referrals for specialist care rose from about 63,000 to 85,000.
The frustration of long delays prompts many to consider private surgery, but the cost can be a major hurdle. This leaves patients in a difficult position, where they’re faced with waiting in the public system or paying large sums for private treatment. Without financial assistance or insurance, many are forced to dip into their savings or retirement funds, borrow from family, or go into debt.
Policywise works with leading insurance providers that offer the best health insurance plans to help you skip long waiting lists, cover the costs of private surgical treatments, and access timely, life-improving treatment without draining your finances.
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Learn more about different types of insurance from a licenced financial adviser and see what's best for your circumstances.
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How much does an operation cost privately?
Private surgery in New Zealand can be costly, with prices varying according to the procedure and the healthcare provider. The following table provides cost estimates for various surgeries.
Procedure |
Estimated Cost (NZD) |
| Spinal surgery | $30,000 - $250,000 |
| Coronary artery bypass and valve replacement | $83,000 - $110,000 |
| Heart valve replacement surgery | $80,000 - $100,000 |
| Mastectomy with breast reconstruction | $50,000 - $100,000 |
| Coronary artery bypass | $50,000 - $75,000 |
| Knee replacement surgery | $25,000 - $33,300 |
| Prostate cancer surgery | $24,800 - $31,100 |
| Total hip joint replacement (unilateral) | $22,000 - $40,000 |
| Hysterectomy | $14,000 - $25,000 |
| Endometriosis surgery | $10,900 - $50,000 |
| Gallbladder removal surgery (cholecystectomy laparoscopic) | $9,900 - $13,000 |
| Sinus surgery | $9,000 - $33,500 |
| Breast cancer surgery | $8,700 - $27,200 |
| Transurethral resection of prostate | $8,500 - $11,000 |
| Squint correction | $6,100 - $10,600 |
| Hernia repair | $5,500 - $20,000 |
| Removal of tonsils and adenoids (adenotonsillectomy) | $5,500 - $9,000 |
| Prostate biopsy | $5,500 - $8,000 |
| Varicose veins | $5,400 - $9,100 |
| Tonsil removal (tonsillectomy) | $5,200 - $7,800 |
| Wisdom teeth removal x4 | $4,200 - $5,800 |
| Cataract surgery (unilateral) | $3,600 - $5,000 |
| Grommet surgery | $2,500 - $7,000 |
| Carpal tunnel decompression (unilateral) | $2,000 - $4,600 |
| Colonoscopy | $2,000 - $3,800 |
| Removal of skin lesions | $500 - $15,000 |
| Skin biopsy | $500 - $800 |
Sources: AIA Health claims data (30 April 2024), nib claim statistics (December 2022 and August 2023), Southern Cross Health Society Group annual results (year ended 30 June 2024), Southern Cross claims data (2023-2024)
How can health insurance help with private surgery costs?
With thousands waiting months for treatment and a growing number not getting on the list to see a specialist even if they have GP referrals, many patients are putting up with worsening conditions while they wait. This impacts patients’ ability to work and quality of life while enduring lost income, debilitating pain, mental health issues, and diminished daily functioning.
Private surgery can provide much-needed and sometimes life-saving relief, but it comes at a hefty price. Health insurance offers a key solution, providing quick access to the private surgery you need while significantly helping with the cost.
Excluding the health insurance excess you choose when setting up your policy, the best hospital surgical benefits can exceed $500,000, covering up to 100% of procedures like coronary artery bypass, hip or knee replacements, and spinal surgeries.
Comprehensive health insurance doesn’t just stop at surgery cover. Many plans also include:
- non-surgical medical treatments and cancer care
- private hospitalisations
- life-saving or life-extending non-Pharmac drugs.
However, not all health insurance plans cover costly operations and medical treatments. Some provide only limited cover for certain procedures or have low surgical benefit caps.
A trusted insurance broker like Policywise can help you compare health insurance plans that cover expensive surgical treatments and find ways to save on insurance costs.
RECOMMENDED READINGS
Is health insurance worth it in New Zealand?
Buying health insurance if you have pre-existing conditions
Getting health cover for your family
What’s an excess on health insurance and how can it lower your premium?
How Policywise makes your health insurance decision easy and hassle-free
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Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Nothing in this blog or on this website is intended as medical, dietary, or financial advice. Although we aim to update our content regularly, you are advised to consult a Policywise adviser, health professional, or an appropriate specialist before acting on any information herein. They can factor in your personal circumstances or preferences and help guide your decision-making process.
References
AIA New Zealand Limited. (n.d.). Health insurance. Retrieved 26/03/2025 https://www.aia.co.nz/en/our-products/health-insurance.html
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora. (2025, March 17). Elective services patient flow indicators web tool. Retrieved 26/03/2025 https://tewhatuora.shinyapps.io/ESPI_app/
New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa. (2024, July 8). Betty, B. Growth in rejected referrals hitting hard. Retrieved 31/03/2025 https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/opinion/bulletins/growth-rejected-referrals-hitting-hard
nib. (n.d.). Health insurance. Retrieved 01/04/2025 https://www.nib.co.nz/health-insurance
nib. (2023). These are costs you could expect to pay if you’re treated in a private hospital without health insurance. Retrieved 26/03/2025 https://www.nibadviser.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/NIB0114-A1-George-Illustration_Final.pdf
Southern Cross Health Society. (2024, September 30). Arneil, S. Southern Cross Health Society Group annual results reflect steep increase in demand for private healthcare. Retrieved 26/03/2025 https://www.southerncross.co.nz/news/2024/southern-cross-health-society-group-annual-results-reflect-steep-increase-in-demand
Southern Cross Health Society. (n.d.). Trusted health insurance for individuals. Retrieved 26/03/2025 https://www.southerncross.co.nz/society/buying-health-insurance/for-individuals
Stuff. (2024, June 7). Quinn, R. At least 85,000 people each year turned away from seeing specialists, some dying as result. Retrieved 26/03/2025 https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350304127/least-85000-people-each-year-turned-away-seeing-specialists-some-dying-result
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