Referrals & eligibility options
Mātai is a world-class MRI facility offering advanced imaging for accurate diagnosis and personalised care, whether you’re a clinician, patient, or researcher.
Depending on the type of scan required and appointment availability, we can usually schedule patients within two weeks of receiving a referral — and sometimes on the same day.
- If you are paying for your MRI scan, you will need a referral from a GP or specialist.
- Privately funded MRI scans at Mātai are available for most parts of the body. (arthrograms not offered)
- Payment can be made at the time of appointment, we accept EFTPOS, or internet banking.
GPs can refer privately paying patients for MRI examinations, including brain and head, spine, musculoskeletal, abdominal, pelvic, prostate, breast, inner ear, pituitary, orbits, soft tissue, vascular imaging and other MRI examinations. Arthrograms are not currently offered.
ACC-accredited GPs using the ProCare Profusion Pathway may refer eligible patients for ACC-funded MRI of the knee, cervical spine or lumbar spine for recent injuries. Other ACC referrals generally need to come from an ACC-registered specialist.
For patients with private medical insurance, referral requirements depend on the insurer and the individual policy. NIB and Southern Cross require a specialist referral.
Other referral pathways include:
- Prostate cancer MRI pathway: Eligible Tairāwhiti patients can access a free pre-biopsy prostate MRI following GP referral to the public urology service.
- Cardiac stress perfusion MRI: Referrals can be made through the Health New Zealand Tairāwhiti medicine or cardiology clinic, or by a private cardiologist.
- Most insurers require a specialist referral
- Southern Cross: Specialist only (policy dependent)
- NIB: GP or specialist referrals (check policy)
- Other insurers (check policy)
- Pre-approval, recommended or signed private payment agreement required
- Include the insurance provider on the referral form
- If your MRI scan relates to an accident covered by ACC, we accept referrals from specialists.
- If you are referred by a GP, access to funded scans is available through the ProCare High-Tech Imaging Pathway (eligibility criteria apply).
- Your GP must submit your referral through the ProCare GP Portal for ACC funding approval.
- If a referral is not submitted through ProCare, your scan can still proceed on a self-funded basis.
How to refer
Your doctor can email your referral directly to referrals@matai.org.nz, or you can bring a printed copy of your referral to our clinic on Childers Road.
Our team is here to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
All referrals must include:
- Patient name, DOB, NHI, contact information
- Any pacemakers, metal implants, or history of metal accidents to the eye
- Relevant clinical information and reason for scan
- Referrer’s contact details and EDI (if first-time referrer)
- Date of injury (for ACC)
- Insurance details (if applicable)
How to find us
You’ll find us at 466 Childers Road, Te Hapara, Gisborne.
When you arrive, please enter through the Childers Road entrance, where you’ll see two blue flags marking the way. You are able to park in front of the building on Childers Road, where the ramp entrance is disability-friendly. There is also a car park conveniently located right next to our building.
Our team looks forward to welcoming you and making your visit as smooth and comfortable as possible.
