Coasties can now access fresh insights into the state of New Zealand’s health following the release of the 2023/24 New Zealand Health Survey by the Ministry of Health.

The annual survey explores a range of topics including alcohol consumption, vaping, mental health, diet, and access to healthcare.

Deputy Director Public Health Dr Harriette Carr highlights its importance as a critical tool for identifying trends and shaping health strategies.

"The data shows that most New Zealanders continue to be in good health," Dr Carr said.

"Progress has been made in areas such as reducing hazardous drinking rates among young people. However, there are areas needing more attention, and work is underway to address these challenges."

Key Findings from the Survey

• Overall Health: 85.4% of adults reported their health as good, very good, or excellent.
• Smoking and Vaping: Smoking rates remain low, with 6.9% of adults smoking daily, compared to 12.9% five years ago. Daily vaping, however, has increased to 11.1%.
• Hazardous Drinking: Rates among young adults aged 18–24 have significantly declined from 35.8% to 22.6% over five years.
• Mental Health: Psychological distress is most common among young and disabled adults, who also face challenges accessing mental health care.
• Physical Activity: Less than half of adults (46.6%) met recommended physical activity guidelines.
• Healthcare Access: Barriers to GP visits have risen, with 25.7% of adults citing delays in getting appointments. Emergency department visits have increased over the same period.
• Oral Health: Over three-quarters of adults (76.6%) rated their oral health positively.
• Food Security: One in four children (27%) lived in households where food ran out often or sometimes in the past year.

The findings underscore both progress and challenges across key areas of public health.

The Ministry of Health will use this data to continue shaping policies and improving health outcomes for all New Zealanders.