09/04/2026
RANZCR warmly commends Minister Simeon Brown MP, Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, the Royal Aust & NZ College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists RANZCOG, and the New Zealand College of Midwives on their commitment to delivering long-term, sustainable funding solutions for maternity ultrasound services in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The interim measures announced are a positive step towards fairer access to maternity ultrasound - and will make a meaningful difference to mothers and whānau across the motu.
RANZCR is proud to have played a role in collaborative advocacy on this long-standing issue, and we strongly support continued partnership to ensure sustainable funding solutions that protect access to maternity care now and into the future. Ngā mihi nui to all involved.
RANZCOG and New Zealand College of Midwives welcome the commitment from Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora and the Hon. Simeon Brown, Minister of Health, to deliver long-term solutions for maternity ultrasound funding. We also acknowledge the introduction of interim measures to ease the burden of unaffordable co-payments while urgent work on developing sustainable funding models continues.
Late last year, when a significant rise in maternity ultrasound co-payments was anticipated, NZCOM and RANZCOG wrote to the Minister seeking immediate action - calling for both short-term relief and a comprehensive review of funding.
Today’s announcement confirms new arrangements with private, community-based providers - who deliver most maternity ultrasound scans - to cap co-payments at $30 for those with a Community Services Card and $90 for others. This is a reduction from the previously proposed increases of $75 and $150.
For many years, RANZCOG and NZCOM have raised concerns about outdated funding and rising co-payments, warning that cost barriers will prevent families from accessing clinically necessary scans - potentially putting mothers and babies at risk of avoidable harm.
Read more on the College’s website: https://ranzcog.edu.au/news/maternity-ultrasound-funding/