Community services card

This card is associated with radical changes to the provision of health care and social welfare in New Zealand, that were introduced in the 1980s and 1990s.

The cost of health care forindividuals was affected by these changes. This 'Community Services Card' identified its holder as a low income earner whowas therefore entitled to the maximum subsidy for prescriptions, visiting doctors and hospitals, and having medical tests. Introduced in 1991, over 580,000 cards had been issued by 6 May 1992.

By necessity and because of their socio-economic philosophies, Labour and National governments had abandoned the universal provision of basic health, education, housing and social services that had been introduced in the 1930s, and replaced them with a 'user pays' approach to social services.