Stem Cell Therapy in New Zealand: 2026 Laws & Best Countries to Visit

Interest in Stem Cell Therapy from people in New Zealand is on the rise. But, it’s difficult to know what’s legal here and what other options New Zealand residents have globally.

We’ve broken down the legislation & costs in New Zealand and go through options residents have in neighboring countries for stem cell treatment. 

Can I get Stem Cell Therapy in New Zealand?

Yes, you can get stem cell therapy in New Zealand, but only for conditions like Leukemia along with same day autologous stem cell treatments. Here’s more details:

• Bone marrow and blood stem cell transplants are widely available in hospitals for conditions like leukemia.
  
• Some private clinics offer same-day autologous treatments (using your own fat or bone marrow) for joint pain or injury. BUT this is a grey area, it’s not approved by the government, there’s just nothing banning them specifically.
  

How much does Stem Cell Therapy cost in New Zealand?

In New Zealand, Stem Cell Therapy costs between $13,000 – $25,000 NZD. 

Because there’s only one type of treatment available, the only thing affecting price is the clinic you choose.

We got this information directly from patients & clinics, there’s more information on how we collate price ranges we quote on our Quality Control section.

Is Stem Cell Therapy Legal in New Zealand

Yes Stem Cell Therapy is legal, but only certain types are allowed.

Stem cell therapy is permitted in New Zealand under strict rules. The most common legal treatment is bone marrow or blood stem cell transplantation, used in hospitals for conditions like leukemia. These are standard medical procedures and not regulated as “new medicines” under the Medicines Act 1981

Some private clinics offer same-day autologous treatments, where your own fat or bone marrow stem cells are taken and re-injected in the same session, usually for joint pain or injury. These treatments are not approved by Medsafe, but they’re also not explicitly banned, as long as:

• The cells are minimally manipulated (e.g. not cultured or genetically altered),
  
• The procedure is not advertised (Section 58 of the Medicines Act 1981)
  
• The patient gives informed consent (written in the Human Tissue Act)

This puts same-day autologous treatments in a legal grey area, tolerated under a doctor’s clinical discretion (Section 25 of the Medicines Act) but not officially approved or endorsed.

On the other hand, umbilical cord derived stem cell therapies and advanced lab-grown products (like cultured or gene-edited stem cells) are not available for treatment. These are restricted to ethics-approved clinical trials only and require special approval under multiple laws, including the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2004 and Medicines Act 1981. 

We know it’s confusing! Simply put, a clinic can give you stem cells for a joint injury or pain if they take it directly from your fat or bone marrow and then re-inject it back into you on the same day. And they’re legally not allowed to advertise the fact they offer stem cells either.

Top Stem Cell Clinics in Asia

We don’t let any clinic just sign up.

We speak to every clinic directly and review their medical team, treatments, stem cell sourcing, and patient follow-up protocols.

We confirm licenses meet local legal standards (e.g., GMP-certified facilities) and verify documentation on stem cell quality.

Clinics must agree to let us collect and publish independent patient reviews. Both positive and negative.

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Who regulates Stem Cell Therapy in New Zealand?

In New Zealand, stem cell therapy is regulated by multiple government bodies, depending on how the therapy is used:

• Medsafe’s regulation of new cell-based medicines
  Medsafe (New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority) regulates any stem cell product considered a “new medicine” under the Medicines Act 1981, including therapies that are manipulated, cultured, or marketed commercially.
• Ministry of Health’s approval process for clinical trials
  The Ministry of Health grants trial approvals and oversees ethical and legal compliance for new stem cell therapies under Section 30 of the Medicines Act.
• Health and Disability Ethics Committees’ role in stem cell research
  HDECs must approve any study involving human participants, including trials involving stem cells, to ensure participant safety and research ethics.
  

Where can I get Stem Cell Therapy near New Zealand?

The closest countries to New Zealand to get stem cell treatment are Japan, South Korea, Thailand & India. Other options would be Colombia & Panama in South America, but they are a fair bit further away.

Now not all these countries are the same. Regulations, quality checks & price are different in each country. In some of the countries, these things vary from clinic to clinic! To help give more of an overview, this table breaks down some of the key differences:

If you’re deciding which country is right for you, our article on Best Countries for Stem Cell Therapy might be useful for you.

Do I need a Visa to get Stem Cell Therapy in any of these countries? 

To visit the countries above, visa requirements for New Zealand citizens vary. We’ve covered it below in this table. If you click on the text in Sources to read column, you can read the official notice there.

Should I go to Japan or South Korea for Stem Cell Therapy if I live in New Zealand?

Both Japan & South Korea are good options for Stem Cell Therapy if you’re living in New Zealand. Globally, these two countries have the most advanced regulations for Stem Cell Therapy.

Both have legalized Stem Cell Treatment and have government approved Clinics. That’s not to say all treatments are approved, merely that clinics are allowed to perform experimental therapies as long as they obtain the correct licenses.

To know more about options & costs in either of these countries, check out our Japan Country Guide or our South Korea Country Guide.

Will Stem Cell Therapy definitely work for me?

No, stem cell treatment doesn’t work for everyone. For most conditions, it is still experimental. Some patients experience significant improvements, while others may see only mild benefits, or none at all. Outcomes depend on the condition being treated, the type of stem cells used and how your body responds. A massive factor is the quality of the clinic you’re visiting too!

Stem cell therapy works by using cells that have the ability to repair or replace damaged tissue. These cells are usually injected into the area needing treatment, where they may reduce inflammation, support healing, or stimulate the body’s natural repair processes.

To see how stem cell therapy works for your specific condition & what the latest research says, check out our Areas of Treatment or Research page. We’ve got data backed articles on how Stem Cell Therapy works specifically for each condition.

Omar Sadik Founder & Lead Analyst

Omar audits international stem cell clinics to verify pricing accuracy and treatment processes. He ensures all data on Alt Treatment is backed by direct provider research & patient treatment data.

View Verification Profile →