New Zealand Health Survey

The New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS) provides information about the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders. The NZHS became a continuous survey in 2011, enabling the publication of annual updates on the health of New Zealanders.

On this page:

latest survey results
about the survey
survey methodology and information
how to access survey microdata
2020/21 Health Survey publications
2019/20 Health Survey publications
2018/19 Health Survey publications
2017/18 Health Survey publications
2016/17 Health Survey publications
2015/16 Health Survey publications
2014/15 Health Survey publications
2013/14 Health Survey publications
2012/13 Health Survey publications
2011/12 Health Survey publications
2006/07 Health Survey publications
2002/03 Health Survey publications
1996/97 Health Survey publications
1992/93 Health Survey publications

Latest survey results

Understanding health and healthcare 2017/18: New Zealand Health Survey
This module in the 2017/18 New Zealand Health Survey asked people how they find, understand and use health information and healthcare services.

Annual Update of Key Results 2020/21: New Zealand Health Survey
The Annual Data Explorer presents survey results on the health of New Zealanders through the publication of a wealth of indicators on health behaviours, health status and access to health care for both adults and children.

Snapshots from the 2020/21 New Zealand Health Survey
Snapshots are short summaries of interesting findings from the New Zealand Health Survey to give you an idea of what sort of information the survey collects.

Regional Results 2017–2020: New Zealand Health Survey
The Regional Data Explorer presents the 2017–2020 regional results from the New Zealand Health Survey, for both adults and children, for all District Health Board (DHB), Public Health Unit (PHU) and Regional Council levels. It includes more than 150 indicators on health behaviours, health status and access to health care.

About the survey

Information collected through the New Zealand Health Survey supports the development of health services, policy and strategy. Survey data is collected continuously but findings are reported annually.

The results provide data for people selected for the survey period from July to June each year. Over 13,000 adults and the parents or primary caregivers of over 4,000 children take part in the survey each year.

Survey methodology and information

Methodology Report 2020/21: New Zealand Health Survey
This methodology report details the procedures and protocols followed to ensure the New Zealand Health Survey produces the high-quality and robust data expected of official statistics.

Questionnaires and Content Guide 2020/21: New Zealand Health Survey
The questionnaires and content guide give information about the content of the adult and child surveys.

Sample Design from 2015/16: New Zealand Health Survey
This report outlines the sample design of the New Zealand Health Survey.

Sample Design, Years 1–3 (2011–2013): New Zealand Health Survey
This report describes the sample design of the New Zealand Health Survey which has been in the field from April 2011.

The New Zealand Health Survey: Objectives and topic areas
This report outlines the key information domains and topic areas in the survey.

Access to survey microdata

Researchers can apply to access the Confidentialised Unit Record Files (CURFs) from Ministry of Health population surveys after the key survey results have been released.

CURFs have had all identifying information about individuals removed, and have been modified to protect individual information.

You can view a list of available CURFs at Access to survey microdata.

Researcher access to these datasets is managed through Statistics New Zealand. Go to Confidentialised Unit Record Files on the Statistics New Zealand website to view the eligibility criteria, the protocol for applying for access and the application form to access microdata.

Where respondents have given their consent for data linkage, the New Zealand Health Survey data has also been added to the Integrated Data Infrastructure which is managed by Stats NZ. Integrating the New Zealand Health Survey with other data sources enables rich insights to help provide better health care. Go to Integrated Data Infrastructure on the Stats NZ website to view the eligibility criteria, the protocol for applying for access and the application form to access microdata.