Greens announce health warrant of fitness

All New Zealanders would get a free annual "Wellness Check" under a Green Party policy which may cost an estimated $200 million a year.

Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons told the campaign launch in Auckland yesterday it was the first in a range of "Green Solutions" to be announced over coming weeks.
She said it was difficult to estimate the upfront cost as it was hard to predict how many people would take advantage of the check, but the best estimate was it could be $200 million a year.

However, she said the free medical checks would more than pay for themselves over time, with future savings measured in billions of dollars.

"We demand an annual warrant of fitness for our cars. Why not take the same precautions with our health?"