Compare Wegovy, Mounjaro, Saxenda and Ozempic for weight loss in NZ: how they work & how they compare on results and cost.
Medical weight loss is evolving fast in New Zealand. Injectable medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro have become the most effective treatment options available, joining earlier arrivals Saxenda and Ozempic. If you’re exploring treatment, this guide gives you a full overview of how these medications work, how they compare on results and cost, and what to expect.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of medications originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes. They mimic a natural hormone (glucagon-like peptide-1) that helps regulate blood sugar, slow digestion, and reduce appetite. The result? Many people feel fuller sooner, eat less, and lose weight.
Four injectable medications are now prescribed for weight loss in New Zealand:
Each one has different strengths, dosing schedules, and cost considerations.
Wegovy and Mounjaro prices are per pen at Chemist Warehouse NZ, checked July 2026. Each pen holds four weekly doses, so one pen is roughly one month of treatment, and your monthly cost depends on your current dose. Always confirm current pricing with your pharmacy.
Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which works on two appetite-regulating hormone systems at once: GLP-1 and GIP. It’s the newest arrival in New Zealand and the most effective on trial results: in its pivotal SURMOUNT-1 trial, people on the highest dose lost around 21% of their body weight on average over 72 weeks.
Treatment starts at 2.5 mg weekly and steps up gradually, with at least four weeks at each dose level, to a maximum of 15 mg weekly. Not everyone needs the top dose; many people get excellent results in the mid range, and your doctor plans the step-ups with you.
Current KwikPen prices run from $429.99 (2.5 mg) to $874.99 (12.5 mg and 15 mg), each pen covering four weekly doses. Cost rises with dose, so the monthly price depends on where you are in treatment.
Wegovy contains semaglutide at a higher dose than Ozempic and is specifically approved for weight loss. It’s taken once a week and gradually increased over 16 weeks to reach the full 2.4 mg dose. In its pivotal trial, people lost around 15% of their body weight on average.
Most patients tolerate Wegovy well, especially when starting with the lower 0.25 mg starter dose. FlexTouch pen prices currently run from $364.99 (0.25 mg) to $469.99 (2.4 mg), each pen covering four weekly doses.
Saxenda uses liraglutide, another GLP-1 medication. It’s injected once daily and approved for weight loss, but studies show it produces less weight loss on average than the weekly options, and it typically costs more per month than Wegovy.
However, daily injections, higher cost and more modest results mean most people now start with a weekly option instead.
Saxenda will be discontinued in New Zealand and no longer available from 1st January 2027. See notice here.
Ozempic also contains semaglutide, but it’s approved for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss. During earlier supply shortages some doctors prescribed it off-label for weight loss. Now that Wegovy and Mounjaro are both readily available in New Zealand, off-label Ozempic is rarely the right choice for weight loss.
All four medications are generally safe and well tolerated. The most common side effects are mild and temporary, including:
Side effects usually settle within the first 2 to 4 weeks and are reduced by starting with a low dose and increasing gradually.
More serious side effects (like pancreatitis or gallbladder issues) are rare. These medications should not be used by people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 syndrome, and they must not be used during pregnancy.
All four are prescription medicines, so you’ll need a prescription from a New Zealand-registered doctor. Some GPs are experienced in weight loss treatment, while others may not yet be familiar with the newer medications.
Well Revolution offers convenient access to online consultations, prescribing (if appropriate), and ongoing treatment support with a dedicated GP and care team, all for a flat $80 fee.
At Well Revolution, we offer a free initial consultation to determine if Wegovy, Mounjaro, Saxenda or Ozempic is safe and appropriate for you.
If prescribed, your $80 treatment plan includes:
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