I've recently returned to live back home in New Zealand after many years abroad and some of the doctors charges have me a bit bemused.
Friends in the Tauranga area seem to be paying about $31 to $39 per visit, friends in the Waihi Beach area tell me they are paying about $26-$28 per visit and astonishingly a friend in Takanini smugly tells me he pays $17.50 per visit.
What's going on?

D. Lawrence, Otumoetai

Response from the Ministry of Health:
The Government does not directly determine the fees GPs charge their patients. Most GPs in New Zealand are private businesses and retain the right to set their own charges.
However, the Government funds the Very Low Cost Access (VLCA) programme to improve access to primary healthcare. Practices choose whether or not to operate under the VLCA programme.
This programme provides additional funding to practices in return for them agreeing to keep their fees at, or below, a maximum level set by the Government. The maximum fee for practices in this programme is currently $11.50 for children 6 to 17 years old and $17 for enrolled adults 18 years and over.
These charges are not linked to the Community Service Card, but apply to all patients enrolled with the practice.
The Bay of Plenty District Health Board provides a list of all General Practice prices on their website.
Link to website where General Practice fees are listed: http://www.bopdhb.govt.nz/PDFs/GP-Fees.pdf