Respiratory Impact Reports

The Foundation's Impact of Respiratory Disease in New Zealand: 2023 Update report, released in September 2024, found that 1 in 5 New Zealanders – around one million people – are affected by a respiratory condition.

This was a significant increase from the previous report in 2021, which estimated 1 in 7 New Zealanders (around 700,000 people) were affected.

The report also showed that respiratory disease is the third leading cause of death in New Zealand, accounts for 1 in 11 hospital stays, and costs the country $8.4 billion per year.

The Foundation's 2020 Update of the Impact of Respiratory Disease in New Zealand report, released in August 2021, highlighted the significant and unequal burden of respiratory disease across Aotearoa.

The report found respiratory conditions cost New Zealand an estimated $6.68 billion annually and accounted for 1 in 10 overnight hospitalisations, with Māori and Pacific peoples experiencing the highest rates of illness, hospitalisation and mortality.

It also identified rising rates of bronchiectasis, childhood bronchiolitis and respiratory hospitalisations, while showing that COVID-19 public health measures led to a substantial reduction in respiratory disease during 2020.

The Foundation's 2018 Impact of Respiratory Disease in New Zealand report revealed respiratory disease remained one of the country's leading health challenges, accounting for 1 in 8 overnight hospitalisations.

The report also highlighted persistent inequities, with Māori, Pacific peoples and those living in areas of greater deprivation carrying a disproportionate share of the burden.

Bronchiectasis remained a uniquely serious issue in New Zealand compared with many similar countries.