Dare to Be Average is Medicines New Zealand's public awareness platform. It was created to help New Zealanders understand how access to publicly funded medicines here compares with other similar countries and why that matters. International data shows that New Zealand funds fewer new medicines than many comparable countries, and patients here often wait longer for medicines to be publicly funded. Dare to be Average shows that while New Zealand often prides itself on punching above its weight internationally, our access to publicly funded medicines remains near the bottom amongst comparable OECD countries. 

To do this in a transparent, relatable way that is easier for everyday New Zealanders to understand, Dare to be Average centres around ‘four truths’ of medicines access in New Zealand. 

Truth #1 
When it comes to levels of access to publicly funded prescription medicines, New Zealand is near the bottom in comparison to comparable OECD countries.¹

Truth #2 
New Zealand’s total health spend sits around the OECD average. But when it comes to medicines, we’re well below average. Paying “enough” for health doesn’t necessarily mean it’s being allocated where it counts.²

Truth #3 As a share of total health spending, New Zealand invests far less in medicines than almost every comparable country. Not investing in medicines doesn’t necessarily save money it often shifts the cost elsewhere, to hospitals, GPs, or families.³

Truth #4 It takes much longer in New Zealand for new medicines to be publicly funded compared with other countries. ⁴

1. PhRMA. (2023). Global Access to New Medicines Report
2. Tebensel T & Lorgelly P. (2025). New Zealand’s health financing and expenditure: A comparative and historical review 2000-2023
3.NZIER. (2025) Health Priorities? A comparison of New Zealand's public health and disability expenditure against selected OECD countries.
4. IQVIA. (2020). A Decade of Modern Medicines: An International Comparison 2011 – 2020