The situation in NZ is that:

You have the right to request to view your file.

They have the right to deny that request if they think that information could harm yourself / another.

They typically photocopy it and you view it on the premises. You typically are not allowed to take it away because it was considered the property of the service.

It might be a problem with them GIVING you the file (as opposed to your viewing it) and with your wanting to GIVE it to other clinicians (where they own it and don't want others second guessing their notes).

Of course the laws might be different in NZ.

On the upside... I've heard of someone (a fairly large someone) who just snatched his file from p-docs hand one day and left the building. P-doc was squeaking a little behind him, but he got away with it.

Heh heh heh.