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
- 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
Tier 1 statistics 2017/18: New Zealand Health Survey
This release covers the most important indicators from the 2017/18 New Zealand Health Survey. These are self-rated health, smoking (current), past-year drinking, hazardous drinking, obesity, mental health status (psychological distress), unmet need for GP due to cost and unfilled prescriptions due to cost.
Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties in New Zealand Children
This report explores the prevalence of social, emotional and behavioural difficulties in New Zealand children aged 3-14 years. It presents the results from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in the 2012/13, 2014/15 and 2015/16 New Zealand Health Survey. The SDQ was part of the child developmental health and wellbeing module.
Regional Results 2014–2017: New Zealand Health Survey
This data explorer presents the 2014–17 regional results from the New Zealand Health Survey, for both adults and children. The data explorer includes information on health behaviours and risk factors, health conditions and access to health services. This data can be explored by district health board, public health unit or regional council.
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 2017/18: 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 2017/18: 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.
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.
2017/18 publications
- Tier 1 statistics 2017/18: New Zealand Health Survey
- Methodology Report 2017/18: New Zealand Health Survey
- Questionnaires and Content Guide 2017/18: New Zealand Health Survey
2016/17 publications
- Annual Data Explorer 2016/17: New Zealand Health Survey
- Regional Results 2014–2017: New Zealand Health Survey
- Tier 1 statistics 2016/17: New Zealand Health Survey
- Methodology Report 2016/17: New Zealand Health Survey
- Questionnaires and Content Guide 2016/17: New Zealand Health Survey
2015/16 publications
- Annual Update of Key Results 2015/16: New Zealand Health Survey
- Tier 1 statistics 2015/16: New Zealand Health Survey
- Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties in New Zealand Children
- Amphetamine Use 2015/16: New Zealand Health Survey
- Indicator Interpretation Guide 2015/16: New Zealand Health Survey
- Methodology Report 2015/16: New Zealand Health Survey
- Questionnaires and Content Guide 2015/16: New Zealand Health Survey
- Sample Design from 2015/16: New Zealand Health Survey
2014/15 publications
- Private Health Insurance Coverage 2011–15: New Zealand Health Survey
- Questionnaires and Content Guide 2014/15: New Zealand Health Survey
- Annual Update of Key Results 2014/15: New Zealand Health Survey (in the Library Catalogue)
- Tier 1 statistics 2014/15: New Zealand Health Survey (archived; data included in latest annual results)
- Amphetamine Use 2014/15: New Zealand Health Survey (in the Library Catalogue)
- Indicator Interpretation Guide 2014/15: New Zealand Health Survey (in the Library Catalogue)
- Methodology Report 2014/15: New Zealand Health Survey
2013/14 publications
- Understanding Excess Body Weight: New Zealand Health Survey
- Questionnaires and Content Guide 2013/14: New Zealand Health Survey
- Annual Update of Key Results 2013/14: New Zealand Health Survey (in the Library Catalogue)
- Regional results from the 2011–2014 New Zealand Health Survey (archived; data included in latest regional results)
- Amphetamine Use 2013/14: New Zealand Health Survey (in the Library Catalogue)
- Indicator Interpretation Guide 2013/14: New Zealand Health Survey (in the Library Catalogue)
- Methodology Report 2013/14: New Zealand Health Survey (in the Library Catalogue)
2012/13 publications
- Alcohol Use 2012/13: New Zealand Health Survey
- Tobacco Use 2012/13: New Zealand Health Survey
- Cannabis Use 2012/13: New Zealand Health Survey
- Questionnaires and Content Guide 2012/13: New Zealand Health Survey
- New Zealand Health Survey: Annual update of key findings 2012/13 (in the Library Catalogue)
- Regional results from the 2011–13 New Zealand Health Survey (archived; data included in latest regional results)
- Amphetamine Use 2012/13: Key findings of the New Zealand Health Survey (in the Library Catalogue)
- Methodology Report 2012/13 (in the Library Catalogue)
2011/12 publications
- Patient Experience 2011/12
- Emergency Department Use 2011/12
- Gambling and problem gambling: results of the 2011/12 New Zealand health survey
- Questionnaires and Content Guide 2011/12: New Zealand Health Survey
- The Health of New Zealand Adults 2011/12 (in the Library Catalogue)
- The Health of New Zealand Children 2011/12 (in the Library Catalogue)
- The Health of Māori Adults and Children 2011/12 (in the Library Catalogue)
- The Health of Pacific Adults and Children 2011/12 (in the Library Catalogue)
- Regional results 2011/12 (archived; data included in latest regional results)
- Hazardous drinking 2011/12 (in the Library Catalogue)
- Problem Gambling 2011/12: Preliminary Results (in the Library Catalogue)
- Methodology report 2011/12 (in the Library Catalogue)
2006/07 publications
- A Portrait of Health: Key results of the 2006/07 New Zealand Health Survey (in the Library Catalogue)
- A focus on problem gambling 2006/07 (in the Library Catalogue)
- A focus on Māori and pacific children 2006/07 (in the Library Catalogue)
- Methodology report 2006/07 (in the Library Catalogue)
- Content guide 2006/07 (in the Library Catalogue)
- Sampling Maori populations 2006/07 (available from Statistics Canada)
- Body Size Technical Report: Measurements and classifications in the 2006/07 New Zealand Health Survey
2002/03 publications
- A Portrait of Health: Key results of the 2002/03 New Zealand Health Survey (in the Library Catalogue)
1996/97 publications
- Taking the Pulse: The 1996/97 New Zealand Health Survey (in the Library Catalogue)
1992/93 publications
- A Picture of Health (in the Library Catalogue)
- Shaping Up: A profile of New Zealanders’ patterns of smoking, drinking, exercise and body mass index (in the Library Catalogue)