Green Prescription

Green Prescription (GRx) is a free service that can support you and your whānau to be active and eat well. It can help you reduce your risk of heart disease or help you manage an existing heart condition.

What is Green Prescription (GRx)?

The Green Prescription service provides one-to-one support to help you make simple, healthy lifestyle changes.

The service can help you increase your activity or exercise levels and support you with healthy eating.

It is run by 14 different organisations across the country and most New Zealanders are eligible to access it. 

You’ll be given a support worker who will:

  • help you identify your goals and make a plan
  • provide you with information about local services and resources 
  • check-in regularly to provide support and encouragement.

In some parts of the country, exercise programmes are also offered as part of the Green Prescription service. These may include things like: 

  • walking groups 
  • gym sessions 
  • water activities 
  • dance or movement classes.  

A number of providers also run education sessions.

The length of the programme and the services offered vary from region to region.

Check what’s available in your area

Green Prescription for people with heart conditions

Green Prescription is a great way to help keep your heart healthy.

It can help reduce your risk of getting heart disease and many other heart conditions. 

If you already have a heart condition, it can improve your quality of life and help you live longer. 

Specifically, Green Prescription can help you:

  • lower blood pressure  
  • improve cholesterol levels
  • improve blood sugar levels
  • maintain a healthy weight 
  • have more energy and feel better
  • reduce stress, feelings of anxiety and depression
  • improve sleeping habits.

Other benefits of a Green Prescription

A Green Prescription isn’t just good for your heart. It has many other benefits for your health and wellbeing. These include:

  • improved bone strength
  • reduced risk of some types of cancer
  • better management of asthma and breathing problems
  • increased flexibility, mobility and reduce the pain of arthritis
  • reduced risk of falling.

Who can get a Green Prescription?

You can get a Green Prescription if you’re 18 or older and you live in New Zealand.

There are also services that can support children, teens and pregnant people. Contact your local provider to find out more.

How do I get a Green Prescription?

Your GP, nurse or pharmacist can refer you to the Green Prescription service.

You can also contact the local Green Prescription service provider directly to find out more. Some services take self-referrals.

Contact your local Green Prescription provider

Contact details for your local provider are on the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora website.

Green Prescription no longer operates in Waikato. However, Sport Waikato offers some low-cost and free exercise classes. Visit the Sport Waikato exercise directory.

There is also no longer Green Prescription in Christchurch, although it is still available if you’re in the South Canterbury region. Find out more about your local area on the Sport Canterbury website.

You can find out about other free or low-cost exercise programmes on our exercise groups page.

Need more information about services in your local area?

Call our Heart Line on 0800 863 375