Āwhina Haerere ā-Motu

National Travel Assistance (NTA) is offered by Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand and may help you to meet some of the costs if you have to travel to see specialists and for treatment.

Your home away from home if you have to travel for treatment

We have accommodation in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin.

Find out more

You may be able to claim assistance for travel if: 

  1. You have been referred to the specialist or treatment facility (eg the hospital) you are going to see by another specialist (not a GP).

  2. Services are publicly funded. This means they are part of a government-funded health and disability service. 

And if you meet the distance and frequency criteria. The best starting point for working out eligibility is looking at the Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand NTA website: 

Go to the NTA website 

 

The website outlines criteria, as well as your next steps for getting registered and making a claim. 

 

Advocacy

We continue to advocate alongside others for improvements to the NTA scheme to support people traveling for cancer care. 

See our past campaign to improve the National Travel Assistance Scheme

What NTA covers 

If you meet the criteria NTA may cover travel costs, accommodation and for you to bring a support person.

Your specialist needs to approve some of the costs such as accommodation. 

Travel costs 

  • Assistance with travel costs may cover private vehicles, public transport and specialised transport needs (for example, taxi, mobility taxi or air travel). Mileage is calculated via the shortest practical route from your residential address to the facility or hospital where you are receiving treatment. 

Accommodation costs 

  • Accommodation costs may include payment towards the cost of a motel room, or an allowance when staying with friends and family. Accommodation is not usually approved if you live under 100 km from the hospital. 

Support person's costs 

Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand outlines: 

  • Assistance towards transport and accommodation for a support person can be claimed when the patient meets eligibility criteria. 

  • An additional (second) supporter may also be approved for clinical reasons with specialist approval. 

  • If your support person travels with you in the same vehicle and stays in the same accommodation, you are unable to claim for additional support towards this. 

  • When a child (under 18 years old) is eligible for travel and accommodation assistance, they’re automatically eligible for assistance towards a support person's costs. 

Need someone to talk to?
8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday
0800 226 237 Information nurse

We know that going through cancer is tough and can raise many questions. You are not alone.

We have health professionals to answer your questions and provide the support you need. Get in touch

Last updated: October 5, 2026