Health insurance plays a growing role in how Kiwis access healthcare - but how many New Zealanders actually have cover?
We break down health insurance coverage in New Zealand by age, gender, ethnicity, income and region. We also look at long-term trends, children’s cover, and answer common questions to help you understand where health insurance fits into the wider healthcare system.
Key Health Insurance Statistics in New Zealand
Here are the headline insights every Kiwi should know:
- Around 35% of New Zealand adults have health insurance - approximately 1.52 million people
- Coverage has stayed relatively stable (between 33–36%) for more than a decade
- Health insurance uptake peaks among 45–54 year olds, with 45.2% covered
- There are clear coverage gaps by ethnicity:
European/Asian (37.6%) vs Maori (21.4%) vs Pacific peoples (17.5%) - Income plays a major role - 49% of higher-income earners are insured, compared to 18% of lower-income earners
- About 29.1% of children (around 283,000) have health insurance
- Coverage drops sharply after age 65, largely due to rising premiums and reduced benefits
Where This Data Comes From
All statistics referenced in this guide are sourced from the New Zealand Health Survey 2024, published by the Ministry of Health.
This survey is the most comprehensive and reliable snapshot of health insurance coverage in New Zealand, based on a nationally representative sample of New Zealanders.
Health Insurance Coverage by Demographic
Health Insurance by Gender (2024)
Men are slightly more likely than women to hold health insurance, although the difference is relatively small. Overall, gender plays a much smaller role in coverage than factors like age and income.
| Gender | Coverage Rate |
|---|---|
| All Adults | 35.0% |
| Males | 36.0% |
| Females | 34.1% |
Health Insurance by Age Group (2024)
Health insurance uptake follows a clear lifecycle pattern:
- Coverage gradually increases through working years
- It peaks in mid-life, when health needs tend to increase
- It declines significantly after retirement age
Why does coverage peak at 45–54?
This age group has the highest level of cover (45.2%), which aligns with increased demand for elective procedures such as joint replacements, cardiac investigations, and specialist treatment.
After age 65, coverage drops sharply - falling to 27.4%, then down to 16.5% for those aged 75+. Rising premiums, exclusions for pre-existing conditions, and reduced affordability all play a role.
| Age Group | All (%) | Male (%) | Female (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15-24 | 32.4 | 29.0 | 35.9 |
| 25-34 | 33.0 | 34.9 | 31.4 |
| 35-44 | 41.0 | 42.3 | 39.9 |
| 45-54 | 45.2 | 46.7 | 43.8 |
| 55-64 | 40.3 | 42.3 | 38.5 |
| 65-74 | 27.4 | 30.2 | 24.8 |
| 75+ | 16.5 | 17.1 | 16.1 |
Health Insurance Coverage by Ethnicity (2024)
Health insurance ownership varies widely across ethnic groups in New Zealand:
- European and Asian New Zealanders: 37.6%
- Maori: 21.4%
- Pacific peoples: 17.5%
These differences largely reflect broader income inequality and access to employer-provided health insurance. Asian New Zealanders now have similar coverage rates to Europeans, partly due to higher representation in professional sectors where workplace health insurance is more common.
Despite awareness efforts, these gaps have remained relatively consistent over time.
| Ethnicity | All (%) | Male (%) | Female (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| European/Other | 37.6 | 39.1 | 36.4 |
| Asian | 37.6 | 36.6 | 38.7 |
| Maori | 21.4 | 23.5 | 19.5 |
| Pacific | 17.5 | 17.3 | 17.5 |
Health Insurance by Income Level (2024)
Income is one of the strongest predictors of whether someone has health insurance.
The NZ Health Survey uses the NZ Deprivation Index:
- Quintile 1 = least deprived (higher income)
- Quintile 5 = most deprived (lower income)
Nearly half of people in the highest-income areas (49.1%) have health insurance, compared to just 18.1% in the lowest-income areas - a difference of almost three times.
| Income Level | Coverage Rate | Est. People |
|---|---|---|
| Quintile 1 (Highest Income) | 49.1% | 424,000 |
| Quintile 2 | 41.8% | 371,000 |
| Quintile 3 | 35.8% | 319,000 |
| Quintile 4 | 29.3% | 255,000 |
| Quintile 5 (Lowest Income) | 18.1% | 150,000 |
Health Insurance Trends in New Zealand (2011–2024)
Despite rising healthcare costs and steady premium increases, overall health insurance coverage in New Zealand has remained remarkably consistent over the past 13 years.
Coverage has fluctuated within a narrow 33 - 37% range, even as premiums increased by an average of 5 - 8% per year.
This suggests a clear divide:
- A core group of New Zealanders see health insurance as essential
- Others either can’t afford it or don’t believe it offers enough value
| Year | Coverage |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 36.0% |
| 2012 | 35.2% |
| 2013 | 33.2% |
| 2014 | 34.4% |
| 2015 | 35.0% |
| 2016 | 34.9% |
| 2017 | 35.5% |
| 2018 | 34.5% |
| 2019 | 34.9% |
| 2020 | 34.6% |
| 2021 | 36.1% |
| 2022 | 36.5% |
| 2023 | 35.4% |
| 2024 | 35.0% |
Children and Health Insurance (2024
Approximately 283,000 children in New Zealand - 29.1% - have health insurance.
Coverage tends to be higher for older children, often because they are added to family policies over time. Many insurers also offer discounted or low-cost cover for children when bundled with adult policies.
| Age Group | All (%) | Boys (%) | Girls (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Children (0-14) | 29.1 | 28.2 | 30.0 |
| 0-4 years | 24.9 | 24.0 | 25.9 |
| 5-9 years | 29.3 | 27.9 | 30.7 |
| 10-14 years | 32.4 | 32.1 | 32.7 |
Health Insurance Coverage by Region (2024)
Coverage varies across the country, with Northern regions (including Auckland) showing higher uptake than other parts of New Zealand.
The Ministry of Health does not publish coverage figures by individual city or former DHB, as sample sizes are too small to provide reliable regional breakdowns.
| Region | Coverage Rate |
|---|---|
| Northern (Auckland, Northland) | 38.1% |
| Central (Wellington, Hawke's Bay, etc.) | 34.3% |
| South Island | 33.4% |
| Midland (Waikato, Bay of Plenty, etc.) | 31.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many New Zealanders have health insurance?
Around 1.52 million adults (35%) and 283,000 children have health insurance. In total, roughly 1.8 million New Zealanders hold some form of private health cover.
Is health insurance worth it in New Zealand?
It depends on your circumstances. Health insurance can provide:
- Faster access to elective surgery
- Shorter wait times than the public system
- Choice of specialist and private hospital
- Cover for treatments not fully funded publicly
However, premiums increase with age, and most policies won’t cover conditions you already have. We recommend weighing the costs against the benefits for your situation.
Why is health insurance coverage lower for Maori and Pacific peoples?
The main drivers are income inequality and access. Health insurance is a discretionary cost, and employer-sponsored cover is more common in professional sectors where Maori and Pacific peoples are underrepresented. Cultural preferences and reliance on the public health system may also influence decisions.
Why does health insurance drop after age 65?
There are several reasons:
- Premiums rise significantly with age, often becoming unaffordable on retirement incomes
- Conditions developed later in life may not be covered
- Some people choose to self-insure instead, as policy benefits reduce over time+
How much does health insurance cost in New Zealand?
Costs vary depending on:
- Your age
- The level of cover
- Excess and optional benefits
For the latest pricing and comparisons, check out our health comparison tool or speak with the LifeDirect team.
Disclaimer: Please note that the content provided in this article is intended as an overview and as general information only. While care is taken to ensure accuracy and reliability, the information provided is subject to continuous change and may not reflect current development or address your situation. Before making any decisions based on the information provided in this article, please use your discretion and seek independent guidance.
