Patient Rights and Complaints in New Zealand

What are my rights as a patient in New Zealand, and how do I complain?

New Zealand health consumers have rights under the Code of Health and

Disability Services Consumers' Rights, and the Health and Disability

Commissioner exists to protect those rights and investigate complaints.

If you have a concern about a practitioner or provider, the Commissioner

is the official route.

What can this page establish, and what can't it?

This page points to the official framework and the Commissioner. It cannot

investigate your complaint or give legal advice about your case.

How to raise a concern

• First raise the concern with the practitioner or provider, in writing,

• If that does not resolve it, contact the Health and Disability

and keep records of the exchange.

Commissioner — their website explains how to make a complaint and what

• Keep every document: treatment plans, invoices, correspondence, and

happens next.

notes of what you were told.

Source: Health and Disability Commissioner

(https://www.hdc.org.nz/)

Sources checked: 2026-08-11

_The Aligner Guide editorial team. Editorially checked against cited

sources; not clinically reviewed._

This page provides general information, not diagnosis or treatment

advice. For advice about your circumstances, consult an oral-health

practitioner registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand.