Sexual healthcare in New Zealand
Take care of your sexual and reproductive health while studying in New Zealand. Here’s how to get advice and support.
Sexual healthcare
It’s important to stay healthy and well while you’re studying in New Zealand. One area of health to think about is sexual health.
While attitudes and values about sex vary between communities in New Zealand, they may be different to what you're used to in your home country. Sexual health can be hard to discuss, but talking about it will help you keep yourself and others safe.
Many students feel shy and nervous when talking to someone else about sex or sexual health. So it’s good to know that whatever you say to a doctor or nurse in New Zealand will be kept private. Doctors and nurses are not allowed to share your medical information with anyone (unless you want them to, or they think you may hurt yourself or someone else).
You’ll find the people you talk to are friendly and accepting of students of all ages, cultures, genders and sexual orientations. You can say whether you would prefer a female doctor or a male doctor. You can also take someone with you to your appointment for support. If you want help and advice about your sexual or reproductive health, you can go to:
- a student health centre at your place of study.
- a medical centre off campus.
- Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa(external link that opens in a new tab), which has clinics around the country.
Cost of sexual health services
Your medical insurance is unlikely to cover sexual healthcare. Check your policy to be sure. If you are not covered, you will have to pay for contraceptives, sexually transmissible infection (STI) tests and treatment, pregnancy services and other sexual and reproductive health services. It's important to know that if you do need any sexual health services, they may be expensive.
Healthy relationships
It is legal in New Zealand to have sex at the age of 16, but there is no ‘right’ age to have sex – it depends on your attitudes, values, religion and when you feel ready. It’s your choice if and when you have sex and who you have sex with.
You can choose to not have sex or to delay having sex, whether that means waiting until you’re in a serious relationship or until you get married. If you do choose to have sex, make sure your partner is 16 or above (for more information on sex, relationships and your body, check out Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa(external link that opens in a new tab)).
Being made to feel you have to have sex when you don’t want to is never OK, and making someone else feel they have to have sex when they don’t want to is never OK. (Learn more about consent from the New Zealand Police(external link that opens in a new tab). If you need support, call the free, confidential hotline Safe to Talk(external link that opens in a new tab).)
Contraception options and advice
If you want to have sex but don’t want to get pregnant, you’ll need to use contraception. Here are some of the main options:
- condoms.
- birth control pills.
- the Depo Provera injection.
- implants.
- intra uterine devices (IUDs).
Condoms are the only type of contraception to protect against sexually transmissible infections (STIs). So whichever contraception you choose, use condoms as well. You can buy condoms from pharmacies, supermarkets, bars, petrol stations, public toilets and online. For other contraception options, you’ll need to see a doctor or nurse.
If you have sex without using contraception (‘unprotected sex’), there are two things you can do to prevent pregnancy. You can take an emergency contraceptive pill (also called the ‘morning after pill’) up to three days afterwards, or have a copper IUD inserted up to five days afterwards. You can buy the emergency contraceptive pill without a prescription at some pharmacies.
Pregnancy information
There are lots of myths about pregnancy, so it’s helpful to know the facts. For example, it is a fact that you can get pregnant the first time you have sex, or if you have sex while you have your period.
If you think you might be pregnant, taking a pregnancy test is the best way to find out. You can get a pregnancy test from a doctor or nurse, or from a pharmacy or supermarket.
If you find out you are pregnant and don’t want to be, it’s natural to feel worried and upset. Find someone you trust who can support you while you decide what to do next.
Whether you choose to continue with the pregnancy or to have an abortion, a doctor can tell you what help is available. Abortion(external link that opens in a new tab) is legal in New Zealand, and there is no age limit. There are two main types of abortion: you can take a pill to end the pregnancy or have a minor operation. It is very safe, especially if it is carried out before you are 12 weeks pregnant.
No one can make you have an abortion, or make you continue with the pregnancy. You have the legal right to make the decision that is best for you.
Sexual transmissible infections (STIs)
STIs (also called sexually transmissible diseases, or STDs) are infections you can get from having sex. The most common STIs in New Zealand are:
- chlamydia.
- genital warts.
- genital herpes.
- gonorrhoea.
- HIV, the virus that causes AIDS(external link that opens in a new tab), is less common.
You can read more about all these STIs at Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa(external link that opens in a new tab).
Not all STIs have symptoms, and you can’t tell if someone has an STI just by looking at them.
Having an STI test is quick and easy. You might decide to have a test if you are planning to have sex with someone new, or if you had sex without a condom. Most STIs are simple to treat with antibiotics, creams or tablets.
Online safety
Many young people watch online pornography (porn). If you’re thinking about watching porn, it’s a good idea to be aware of the risks and understand the differences between porn and sex in real life. For example, porn often doesn’t include people talking, cuddling, being respectful and asking for permission before doing something.
Some people enjoy porn and see it as a positive part of their sexuality, but other people come to rely on porn. If watching porn is making you feel unhappy or out of control, speak to someone you trust or to a support service like Youthline(external link that opens in a new tab). You should never supply porn to anyone aged 18 or under – it’s against the law.
‘Sexting’ is sending or receiving sexual messages, photos or videos – for example, a photo of yourself without any clothes on (nude). Once you share something, you lose control of it, so think carefully before sharing. See our Online safety page to find out what you can do if someone is sharing or saying they are going to share your photos or videos when you don’t want them to.
‘Unsolicited nudes’ are images or videos that someone has taken of themselves and sent to a person who hasn’t asked for them. If you’re thinking of sending a nude image or video to someone, check first to make sure they want to receive it.
Related pages
Being safe online
The internet is an important part of life as a student in New Zealand. You might find yourself using it to bank, shop or meet people more than you did in your home country. Learn about internet safety and find suggestions for being safe online.
Dating, relationships & sex in New Zealand
Attitudes to dating, relationships and sex may be different in New Zealand than in your home country.
Paying for healthcare
It's important to understand that healthcare in New Zealand isn't free for international students. Find out about using medical insurance to pay for healthcare and how to get support from ACC if you have an injury.
Get useful information and important updates to make your life easier while you're living and studying in New Zealand.