A Northland Primary Health Organisation says free GP visits for children under 13 in Te Tai Tokerau will have significant long-term benefits.
The Government plans to make doctors' visits and prescriptions free for children aged six to 12 throughout the country from July next year.
However, PHOs Manaia Health and Te Tai Tokerau, and the Northland District Health Board have joined to make it available in the region earlier.
Manaia Health chief executive Chris Farrelly said it would have long-term benefits for tamariki, including better school attendance, and mothers will no longer sacrifice their own health to pay for their children's visits to the doctor.
Mr Farrelly believed Te Tai Tokerau has the resources to deal with the expected increase in visits.
