How to get Ozempic or Wegovy for weight loss in NZ

Written by the Changing Curves team · June 2026

⚕ Medically reviewed: pending (before launch)

First — Ozempic vs Wegovy

People often search "Ozempic for weight loss", but it's worth being precise. Ozempic and Wegovy are both semaglutide, made by the same manufacturer — but they're approved for different things. Ozempic is approved (and, under criteria, funded) for type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is the version approved in New Zealand for weight management. So if weight loss is the goal, the on-label option is Wegovy (or Mounjaro), not Ozempic.

Who can be prescribed it?

A prescriber assesses suitability. As a general guide, weight-management medicines are considered for adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related condition (such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea). They're used alongside diet and activity, and they aren't suitable for everyone — for example during pregnancy or with certain medical histories. BMI is only one factor; the prescriber makes the call.

The routes to a prescription

Your GP. A regular option, though wait times vary and not every GP offers weight-management prescribing.
A private prescriber or weight clinic. Direct, but can mean travel and in-person appointments.
A telehealth service like Changing Curves. You complete an online assessment, an NZ-registered prescriber reviews your case (with a video or phone consult where required), and if it's suitable your medicine is dispensed by a registered pharmacy and delivered to your door.

Whichever route, the medicine must be prescribed by an NZ-registered prescriber and dispensed by a registered pharmacy — and you pay privately, because it isn't funded for weight loss.

What the telehealth process looks like

With Changing Curves: a 3-minute eligibility check → if suitable, a consult with a prescriber → e-prescription to our partner pharmacy → discreet delivery, with ongoing dose support. You only pay if a prescriber approves treatment.

What does it cost?

The private-cost breakdown.

Wegovy vs Mounjaro

How the options differ.

Start with a 3-minute check

See whether doctor-led treatment is right for you. No payment to start; a prescriber confirms suitability.

Check your eligibility →

This article is general information, not medical advice, and doesn't replace an assessment by a qualified prescriber. Eligibility criteria are a general guide only; the prescriber decides. Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro® and Saxenda® are prescription medicines with benefits and risks. Always read the label and consumer medicine information (medsafe.govt.nz).