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Christchurch
OVERVIEW
Contraception (Birth Control)
General Note: There are many types of contraceptives, also known as "birth control," including IUDs, oral contraceptives, patches, shots, and condoms, etc. If you would like to view a full list, click here.
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Contraception must be prescribed by a doctor.
Costs
Cost of a doctor's visit are usually around $50 (NZD) for residents or foreigners who have been in the country for over a year. Doctor visits for everyone else, including visitors, can vary between $70-120 Nzd. Prescriptions are $5 when subsidized by the public health care system, otherwise depending on the product.
Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)
Important Notes: Emergency contraception may prevent pregnancy for three days (72 hours) and sometimes five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. Take EC as soon as possible after unprotected sex. If you don't have access to dedicated EC, oral contraceptives can be used as replacement EC, but remember the following: 1) Only some contraceptives work as EC 2) Different contraceptives require different dosages and time schedules to work as EC 3) You must only use the first 21 pills in 28-day packs and 4) They may be less effective than dedicated EC. For general information on emergency contraceptives, click here and here.
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Emergency Contraception can be obtained at any pharmacy in New Zealand. The pharmacist will usually ask you for a short interview in the back of the pharmacy, asking why you need it, when you last period was, etc.
Note: The longest-lasting EC is currently ellaOne. It lasts up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. Check to see if your country carries ellaOne. If your country doesn't carry ellaOne, copper IUDs may also prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex. If none of these options are available, and it's been over 3 days since you had unprotected sex, you can still take EC, which may work up to 5 days. Note that EC pills are not 100% effective and should be taken as soon as possible.
Costs
It is usually around $30 per pill
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs)
Important Notes - Learn about PEP and PrEP: If you think that you've been recently exposed to HIV (i.e. within 72 hours), seek out PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). It's a month-long treatment to prevent HIV infection after exposure, and it may be available in your city. Take PEP as soon as possible. For more information, click here. If you are at risk of HIV exposure, seek out PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). It's a daily oral pill that can prevent HIV infection before exposure. To learn more about PrEP, click here.
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Testing Facilities
Tests can be done at any doctor's practice. It recommend, though, to check with the practice beforehand if they offer the test you need.
Support
Costs
Cost are usually around $50 (NZD) for residents or foreigners who have been in the country for over a year. Doctor visits for everyone else, including visitors, can vary between $70-120 Nzd. Test costs vary from test to test, but the receptionist at the doctor should be able to advise you.
Medications & Vaccines
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Costs
Menstruation
Note: In addition to pads and tampons, you can also use menstrual cups and menstrual underwear for your period. To learn more about menstrual cups, click here. To learn more about menstrual underwear, click here.
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Tampons and pads are available in any supermarket. Mild painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are also available in the supermarket
Costs
Gynecological Exams
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Costs
Pregnancy
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Costs
Abortion
Important Note: There are two main types of abortions: medical (also known as the "abortion pill") and surgical (also known as "in-clinic"). For medical abortions, you take a pill to induce abortion. For surgical abortions, a procedure is performed to induce abortion. For general information about medical and surgical abortions, click here.
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
- Christchurch Women's Hospital: They provide abortion for pregnancies greater than 12 weeks and 6 days: 2 Riccarton Avenue, next to Christchurch Public Hospital. P: (03) 364 4699
- This service is also provided for West Coast and South Canterbury District Health Boards.
- For more information, you can visit Abortion Services in New Zealand.
Costs
Advocacy & Counseling
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Costs
List of Additional Resources
References