How much does a chiropractor cost in NZ?

Many clinics don't publish their fees at all. This post sets out what chiropractic care typically costs in New Zealand, what ACC and insurance cover, and what to check before you book, so you can make the decision with the numbers in front of you.

The short answer

In New Zealand in 2026, you can expect to pay roughly:

• First appointment: most Auckland clinics charge somewhere between $80 and $150. This visit is longer, because it includes your health history, an examination and usually your first treatment.
• Regular (follow-up) appointment: most clinics charge between $50 and $90.
• With an accepted ACC claim: less than the standard fee, because ACC pays part of the cost directly to the clinic. The amount you pay, called the co-payment or surcharge, is set by each clinic.

Fees vary by location, by how long the appointment is, and by whether the clinic includes things like scans or X-rays in the price. A low advertised fee sometimes excludes those extras, so it pays to ask what is included.

What we charge at The Healing Centre

We publish all of our fees, so there is no need to ring and ask. These are our current fees at both of our Auckland clinics:

Our Henderson clinic recently opened and first appointments there are currently $20 for everyone, including ACC patients, as a welcome offer to the West Auckland community.

The full list, including optional extras, is on our fees page.

What you get for a first appointment fee

A first appointment at a chiropractor is not a ten-minute adjustment. At our clinics it takes 30 to 40 minutes and includes:

• A full health history, including anything you have been told by your GP or other practitioners
• A discussion about what chiropractic care involves and whether it is appropriate for you
• A physical examination and relevant tests, such as range of movement, posture and neurological checks
• Posture analysis or nervous-system scans where your chiropractor thinks they will help
• Your first treatment, where it is clinically appropriate to start that day

If after the examination your chiropractor thinks you need your GP, imaging or a different service first, they should tell you so. A good first appointment sometimes ends with a referral rather than a treatment.

How ACC works for chiropractic care

Chiropractors are ACC registered treatment providers. That means:

1. You don't need a GP referral. You can book directly with a chiropractor.
2. The chiropractor can lodge the claim. If you have injured yourself in an accident, your chiropractor assesses the injury at your first appointment and lodges the ACC claim for you, or sees you under an existing claim if you bring the details.
3. ACC pays part of the fee. ACC pays a set contribution for each treatment directly to the clinic. You pay the difference, which is why ACC appointments cost less than standard ones.
4. Timeframe matters. ACC generally covers injuries from accidents within the last 12 months. Older injuries and conditions that developed gradually, without a specific accident, are usually not covered.

ACC decides whether a claim is accepted, not the clinic, so no clinic can promise in advance that a particular appointment will be covered. If a claim is declined, you pay the standard fee. You can read more on our ACC page.

Health insurance

• Southern Cross: some clinics, including ours, are Southern Cross Easy-claim providers. With your policy number the clinic can check your level of cover and, where your policy allows, invoice Southern Cross directly, so you pay only any shortfall.
• Other insurers: with AIA, Partners Life and most other insurers you usually pay at the clinic and claim back using the receipt. Check your policy for whether chiropractic is included and whether there is an annual limit.

Why fees differ so much between clinics

A few things explain most of the variation:

• Appointment length. A 15-minute adjustment should cost less than a 40-minute assessment.
• What is included. Some clinics charge extra for X-rays, scans or a report of findings. Others include them.
• Location. Central Auckland rents are higher than suburban ones, and fees often follow.
• Care plans. Some clinics ask you to commit to a block of appointments paid up front, sometimes with a discount. Be clear about what you are agreeing to and whether it is refundable.
• Concessions. Many clinics have lower rates for students, seniors, beneficiaries and children. Ask.

Questions to ask before you book

1. Is the first appointment fee published, and what does it include?
2. Are you ACC registered, and can you lodge a claim for me?
3. What is the ACC rate compared with the standard rate?
4. Do you charge for scans, X-rays or reports separately?
5. Will I be asked to commit to a treatment plan or pay for appointments in advance?
6. Is there a concession rate I qualify for?

If a clinic is reluctant to answer these before you book, that tells you something.

If cost is a barrier

We don't want money to be the reason someone puts off getting help. Our clinics run a koha, or by-donation, model of care for people who would otherwise go without, and we have a free 20-minute consultation for anyone who wants to talk to a chiropractor before committing to a first appointment. If cost is a concern, contact us and we'll discuss the options.

Book an appointment

You can see live availability and book online at our Remuera clinic (614 Remuera Road) or our Henderson clinic (361 Great North Road, West Auckland). Both are open seven days, and no referral is needed.

Book online