New Zealand and the ACC: A noble experiment that failed?

Abstract

New Zealand's Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), which provides no-fault 24-hour cover for accidents, has been the subject of continuous debate since its inception in 1974. This article provides an up-to-date summary of changes to the legislation and how they have, or might, impact on providers and consumers of services. An attempt is made to look at the outcomes for ACC claimants in different broad categories. Although the ACC system has shown itself over time to be fairly resilient in the face of change, providers and consumers may not agree that the amount of change has delivered a better product for New Zealand.