New Zealand: health and care

How long are emergency department waits in New Zealand?

76.3% of patients in New Zealand emergency departments were admitted, discharged or transferred within six hours in April to June 2026, up from 73.9% a year earlier, according to Health New Zealand, published on 23 September 2026. The milestone for 2025/26 was 77%, and the target for 2030 is 95%.

259,337 people were seen and treated within six hours in the quarter. The measure tracks the time from arrival to leaving the emergency department, so it depends on the availability of hospital beds as well as on emergency department staffing.

Official sources: Health NZ: More New Zealanders receiving the right care when they need it

How long do New Zealanders wait for surgery?

72.6% of patients in New Zealand received planned (elective) treatment within four months in April to June 2026, up from 63.9% a year earlier, according to Health New Zealand. This was above the 2025/26 milestone of 70%; the target for 2030 is 95%. 66.1% received a first specialist assessment within four months, above the 65% milestone.

The measures count the share of patients treated or assessed within four months of being accepted onto a waiting list. They do not show how many people are referred but not accepted.

Official sources: Health NZ: More New Zealanders receiving the right care when they need it

How quickly do cancer patients start treatment in New Zealand?

87.0% of cancer patients in New Zealand received cancer management within 31 days of the decision to treat in April to June 2026, up from 86.3% a year earlier and meeting the 2025/26 milestone of 87%, according to Health New Zealand. The target for 2030 is 90%.

The 31-day measure starts when a patient and their doctor agree on a treatment plan, not from the first symptom or referral, so it does not capture delays earlier in diagnosis.

Official sources: Health NZ: More New Zealanders receiving the right care when they need it

What share of New Zealand children are fully immunised?

83.7% of New Zealand children were fully immunised at 24 months of age in April to June 2026, up from 82.0% a year earlier, according to Health New Zealand. The government's target is 95% by 2030.

Fully immunised means a child has received all the vaccines on the national schedule due by 24 months, including measles, mumps and rubella. Rates differ between regions and ethnic groups.

Official sources: Health NZ: More New Zealanders receiving the right care when they need it

How many people die in New Zealand each year?

38,037 deaths were registered in New Zealand in the year ended June 2026, up from 37,323 a year earlier, according to Stats NZ, released on 18 August 2026. The infant mortality rate was 5.33 deaths per 1,000 live births, up from 5.19.

Stats NZ said the infant mortality rate rose partly because 60 infant deaths that occurred between 2014 and 2021 were registered late during the year. Births fell to 56,268, the lowest since 2003, and the total fertility rate was 1.51 births per woman. The number of deaths tends to rise as the population ages.

Official sources: Stats NZ: Births and deaths, year ended June 2026

How much does New Zealand spend on health?

New Zealand's core Crown health expenses were $32.9 billion in the year ended 30 June 2026, up from $30.3 billion the year before, according to the Treasury's Financial Statements of the Government. Health was the second-largest area of core Crown spending after social security and welfare.

Most of this money funds Health New Zealand, which runs public hospitals, primary care funding and community health services. The figure covers public spending only; spending by households and private insurers is not included.

Official sources: Treasury: Financial Statements of the Government, year ended 30 June 2026 (PDF)

What is life expectancy in New Zealand?

The UN Population Division puts life expectancy at birth in New Zealand at 82.0 years in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 82.3 years; its low point was 2005, at 79.9 years. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 71.5 years, and New Zealand placed 5th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 29th of 193.

How many babies die in New Zealand?

The UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation puts the infant mortality rate in New Zealand at 4.0 per 1,000 in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 26th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 13.9 per 1,000. World rank, highest first: 156th of 192.

What is the maternal mortality rate in New Zealand?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 7.0 per 100,000. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 26th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 82.0 per 100,000. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 156th highest.

How much does New Zealand spend on health?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2024, is 10.1% of GDP. Since 2005 it has ranged from 8.3% of GDP (2005) to 10.6% of GDP (2022).

How much of health care in New Zealand do patients pay for?

In 2024, out-of-pocket health spending in New Zealand was 12.7%, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 11.5% (2007) to 14.6% (2016).

What is the doctor to patient ratio in New Zealand?

According to the WHO, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in New Zealand was 3.6 per 1,000 in 2022. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 2.6 per 1,000; New Zealand is 3rd highest of 11. Of 125 countries with 2022 data, 33rd highest.

What is hospital capacity in New Zealand?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 2.5 per 1,000. The peak was 2.8 per 1,000 in 2012 and the low 2.4 per 1,000 in 2009. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.4 per 1,000, and New Zealand placed 5th highest of 11. Of 73 countries with 2023 data, 39th highest.

What is the measles vaccination rate in New Zealand?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 89.0%. The peak was 93.0% in 2011 and the low 79.0% in 2007. East Asia & Pacific median: 91.0%; New Zealand is 17th highest of 30. Worldwide: 103rd of 191.