HealthInfo Canterbury
Overview of contraception & sterilisation
Ārai hapū me te kokoti uru
There are lots of methods of contraception.
The pages in this section give you information about different types of contraception to help you choose the best method for you.
If you want to start using contraception or if you think you want to change to a different type of contraception, visit your general practice, Family Planning Clinic, school clinic or 298 Youth Health for help.
Sexual health visits with your general practice team may be free. Ask your general practice team if you're eligible.
Appointments at Family Planning Clinics are free for New Zealand residents if you're under 22.
298 Youth Health offers free medical care and counselling for those aged 10 to 24.
If you have a community services card or live in a low-income area, you may be able to get free or low-cost contraception. This includes long-acting reversible contraceptives. Long-acting reversible contraceptives can give you reliable contraception for up to five years.
If you're eligible, a consultation will only cost $5. Where medically appropriate, women can get a long-acting contraceptive device fitted at no cost. Removal is also free.
The same services are available to transgender men and non-binary people with a uterus.
HealthInfo recommends the following videos
- Family Planning – Contraception: an introduction
An overview of contraception options.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Family Planning – Contraception methods
A quick overview of the different methods of contraception available.
- Long-acting contraceptives – comparison table
A printable table to use when deciding what type of long-acting contraception might suit.
- Table of short-acting hormonal contraception
A printable table to use when deciding what type of short-acting hormonal contraception might suit.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2022.
SourcesReview key: HICAS-53138
