Story: Primary health care

Doctor's waiting room

A woman and her son wait to see a doctor in his well-appointed waiting room. A nurse is in attendance. Rich people used doctors more often than those less well-off.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, James McAllister Collection (PAColl-3054)

Reference: 1/1-012735-G

by James McAllister

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Michael Belgrave, Primary health care – Early primary health care, mid-19th century, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/31514/doctors-waiting-room (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Michael Belgrave, published 21 April 2011.