The Government has extended free GP visits and prescriptions to children under 13, but GPs need to agree to be part of the scheme, which started yesterday.
One practice in Queenstown had not signed yet, along with three in Invercargill. With 81 practices signed, it was a ''good news story'' compared with gaining agreement for the under-6s, Mr Macara said.
Introduced more than a decade ago, it took years to reach the same level of support for the younger group.
Aurora Health Centre manager Sharon Smith said children aged between 6 and 12 were some of the least frequent patients at the GP.
It was possible demand would increase now.
The centre charged $27 for that age group until yesterday, and the free visits would be hugely beneficial for low income parents, she said.
Health Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman said the initiative provided free GP visits any time of the day or night, and free prescriptions.
''We want to support families in giving their children the best possible start in life. We are making it easier for families to get the medical attention their child needs.''
Nationally, 96% of practices had opted into the scheme, covering 98% of children under 13.
The scheme cost $90 million over three years.
ACC Minister Nikki Kaye said ACC was spending an extra $27.5 million over three years to cover accident-related GP visits for children.
More than 400,000 children were expected to benefit from the scheme's expansion, taking the total number to more than 750,000.
