Health in Christchurch, New Zealand: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in Christchurch was 79.9 years for males and 83.1 years for females in 2022-2024, compared with 79.6 and 83.5 in 2017-2019 (New Zealand 2022-2024: 80.1 and 83.5). That is joint 4th highest female life expectancy of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
How many people smoke in Christchurch?
6.9% of adults in Christchurch were regular cigarette smokers at the 2023 Census, compared with 12.4% in 2018 (New Zealand 2023: 7.7%). That is 5th highest smoking rate of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many people with disabilities live in Christchurch?
6.3% of people in Christchurch were classed as disabled by the census disability indicator in 2023 (New Zealand: 6.0%). That is 4th highest of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many babies are born in Christchurch each year?
4,461 babies were born and 3,180 people died among residents of Christchurch in the year ended March 2025, according to Stats NZ vital statistics.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many homes in Christchurch are damp or mouldy?
15.6% of occupied homes in Christchurch were reported as always or sometimes damp, and 9.4% had mould larger than an A4 page always or sometimes, at the 2023 Census (New Zealand: 18.1% damp). That is 2nd driest of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow Christchurch compares with other cities in New Zealand
Female life expectancy at birth (2022-2024)
Christchurch ranks 4 of 8, highest first. Napier-Hastings is left out because it is two separate territorial authorities.
| Rank | City | Female life expectancy at birth |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wellington | 85.2 years |
| 2 | Tauranga | 84.5 years |
| 3 | Auckland | 84.3 years |
| 4 | Christchurch | 83.1 years |
| 5 | Lower Hutt | 83.1 years |
| 6 | Dunedin | 82.9 years |
| 7 | Whangarei District | 82.4 years |
Regular smokers among adults (2023 Census)
Christchurch ranks 5 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | Regular smokers among adults |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Whangarei District | 9.4% |
| 3 | Lower Hutt | 8.2% |
| 4 | Hamilton | 7.9% |
| 5 | Christchurch | 6.9% |
| 6 | Auckland | 6.6% |
| 7 | Dunedin | 6.2% |
| 8 | Tauranga | 6.0% |
People classed as disabled (2023 Census)
Christchurch ranks 4 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | People classed as disabled |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dunedin | 7.3% |
| 2 | Whangarei District | 7.0% |
| 3 | Lower Hutt | 6.5% |
| 4 | Christchurch | 6.3% |
| 5 | Hamilton | 6.2% |
| 6 | Napier-Hastings | 6.2% |
| 7 | Tauranga | 5.9% |
More on Christchurch: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in New Zealand
Sources
- Stats NZ: 2023 Census place summaries and other area data: Christchurch City (CSV export), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1d5b1addd1fc…)
- Stats NZ: 2023 Census place summaries and other area data: Wellington City (CSV export), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 24c078d1c26a…)
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