This report describes sexual diversity in New Zealand with regard to gender, age, ethnicity and neighbourhood deprivation patterns. Over 10,000 respondents aged 16–74 years completed the sexual and reproductive health module in the 2014/15 Health Survey.
As part of the Ministry of Health’s commitment to achieving equity in health outcomes for all New Zealanders, it is important for us to understand the inequity that exists. Internationally and in New Zealand, there are clear inequities in the health of rainbow communities, including gay, lesbian and bisexual people.
These inequities, and particularly those related to mental health, are considered to be a consequence of the stressors that Rainbow New Zealanders experience, including discrimination from families/whānau, health services and people in society in general.
Use our Sexual and Reproductive Health Data Explorer to see the results from the 2014/15 Health Survey.
If you have any queries please email [email protected].
Overview of key findings
- 97% of men and 95% of women identified themselves as heterosexual or straight.
- 2.3% of men and 3.7% women identified themselves as lesbian, gay or bisexual.
- Men were less likely to identify as bisexual than women (1.0% and 2.6% respectively).
- Men were less likely to have ever had sex with another man than women with another woman (4.2% and 6.5% respectively).
- Men were less likely to have ever been sexually attracted to both men and women than women to both men and women (4.6% and 16% respectively).
- Women’s sexual orientation varied by age, whereas men’s did not.
- Younger women were more likely to identify as bisexual, have had same-gender sexual partners and have been sexually attracted to both men and women than older women.
Go to Sexual and reproductive health to find out what’s being done in this area.
Related publications
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Data Explorer
- First Heterosexual Sex: Findings from the 2014/15 New Zealand Health Survey
- Heterosexual Sexual Behaviour: Findings from the 2014/15 New Zealand Health Survey
- Contraception: Findings from the 2014/15 New Zealand Health Survey
- Pregnancy Planning: Findings from the 2014/15 New Zealand Health Survey
- Sexually Transmitted Infections: Findings from the 2014/15 New Zealand Health Survey
- Non-volitional Sex: Findings from the 2014/15 New Zealand Health Survey
- Indicator Interpretation Guide 2014/15: Sexual and Reproductive Health Module
- Questionnaires and Content Guide 2014/15: New Zealand Health Survey
- Methodology Report 2014/15: New Zealand Health Survey
- The New Zealand Health Survey Sample Design, Years 1–3 (2011–2013)