People and Society of New Zealand

Nationality

New Zealander(s)

Ethnic Groups

New Zealand European 74.5%, Maori 9.7%, other European 4.6%, Pacific Islander 3.8%, Asian and others 7.4%

Population

5,148,997

Population in Major Urban Areas

Auckland 1.452 million; WELLINGTON (capital) 410,000

Quality medical care is widely available, but waiting lists exist for certain types of treatment. High-quality medication (both over-the-counter and prescription) is widely available at local pharmacies, although the name of the product may differ from the U.S. version. Access to medical care may be less available in rural areas. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Life Expectancy at Birth

New Zealand consistently ranks among the top countries in the world for life expectancy, reflecting its high standard of living, well-funded public healthcare system, and relatively low rates of communicable disease. At birth, the average life expectancy in New Zealand is approximately 82 to 83 years overall, with women typically living longer than men. Female life expectancy sits at around 83 to 84 years, while male life expectancy is roughly 80 to 81 years. These figures place New Zealand in a comparable range with other high-income nations such as Australia, Japan, and the Scandinavian countries. The country's universal healthcare system, publicly funded and administered through Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, provides broad access to primary and hospital care for residents, contributing significantly to these outcomes. Diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors also play a role. New Zealand benefits from low air pollution levels in most regions, a strong outdoor recreational culture, and relatively high rates of physical activity among its population. However, health disparities exist within the country. Māori and Pacific Islander populations have statistically lower life expectancies than the New Zealand European population, a gap estimated at roughly five to seven years for Māori men and women respectively. Public health agencies have actively worked to address this disparity through targeted health initiatives, increased funding for community-based care, and ongoing policy reform. Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes remain the leading causes of death, consistent with patterns seen across other developed nations. Improvements in medical treatment, early screening programs, and sustained anti-smoking campaigns have contributed to steady gains in life expectancy over recent decades. New Zealand's aging population is also a growing consideration for national health planning. As the proportion of residents aged 65 and over continues to rise, the country faces increasing demands on its aged care infrastructure and long-term health services, prompting ongoing investment in workforce capacity and elder care facilities. Overall, life expectancy in New Zealand reflects a broadly healthy society with strong institutional support for public health, though meaningful work remains to close persistent gaps between different demographic groups.

Infant Mortality Rate

New Zealand maintains one of the lower infant mortality rates among developed nations, reflecting the country's robust public health infrastructure, universal healthcare access, and strong maternal and child health programs. The infant mortality rate sits at approximately 3 to 4 deaths per 1,000 live births, placing New Zealand favorably alongside other high-income OECD countries, though slightly above top-performing nations such as Japan, Norway, and Finland. The country's publicly funded health system, administered through Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora), provides free or heavily subsidized maternity care, including midwifery services, prenatal visits, and postnatal support. Lead maternity carers — typically registered midwives — play a central role in guiding mothers through pregnancy and the early weeks of a newborn's life, contributing to generally positive outcomes for most births. Despite the overall low rate, significant disparities exist across ethnic and socioeconomic lines. Māori and Pacific Island infants experience notably higher mortality rates compared to the national average. Contributing factors include reduced access to healthcare in rural and lower-income communities, higher rates of preterm birth, and socioeconomic disadvantage. Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI), which includes SIDS, remains a particular concern within Māori communities, prompting targeted public health campaigns and culturally specific outreach programs such as the promotion of safe sleep environments. The New Zealand government and various health agencies have implemented programs aimed at narrowing these disparities, including expanded home visiting services for at-risk families, breastfeeding support initiatives, and efforts to improve antenatal care attendance among underserved populations. Over the past several decades, infant mortality in New Zealand has declined substantially, driven by improvements in neonatal intensive care, increased vaccination coverage, better nutritional outcomes, and public awareness campaigns. Continued monitoring and equity-focused health strategies remain priorities as the country works to bring outcomes for all demographic groups closer to the national average.

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• unspecified or none33.0%
• Anglican24.0%
• Presbyterian18.0%
• Roman Catholic15.0%
• Methodist5.0%
• other Protestant3.0%
• Baptist2.0%

English (official), Maori (official)

• Maori
• English

Crime Information

The crime rate in New Zealand is relatively low, but theft from cars, recreational vehicles, and hostels is common, especially in areas frequented by tourists. Do not leave passports or other valuable items in unattended vehicles. Violent crime against tourists is rare; however, if you are traveling alone, you should be especially vigilant and avoid isolated areas. Do not buy counterfeit and/or pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, but if you purchase them, you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in New Zealand, you are subject to its laws. New Zealand’s laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. If you break local laws, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution; therefore, it is very important to know what is legal and what is not. There are also some things that might be legal in other countries, but are still illegal in the United States and may result in your prosecution, such as buying pirated goods or engaging in child pornography. New Zealand officials generally notify the U.S. Consulate General in Auckland if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested; however, that is not always the case. To ensure that U.S. consular officials are aware of your circumstances, request that New Zealand police and prison officials notify the U.S. Consulate General in Auckland as soon as possible.