This four-page report presents key findings on the health and wellbeing of Māori adults and children (2011–2013) and shows trends since 2006/07 New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS). Pooling data from the 2011/12 and 2012/13 NZHS improves the precision of estimates for Māori due to bigger sample sizes.
Methodology
Sample: 25,379 adults aged 15 years and over, and 8963 children aged 0–14 years. This includes 5229 Māori adults and 3206 Māori children.
Mode: Face-to-face computer-assisted interviews.
Timing: Results refer to two samples selected in the 12-month periods July 2011 to June 2012 and July 2012 to June 2013.
Key Results
Health behaviours and risk factors
- One in five Māori children and two in five Māori adults were obese
- Māori adults had similar levels to non-Māori adults for being physically active (53%)
- Two in five Māori adults smoked
Health conditions
- Almost all (97%) Māori children were in good health, according to their parents
- One in five Māori children and 16% of Māori adults took medication for asthma
- The rate of diagnosed common mental disorder for Māori adults had increased since 2006/07
Access to health care
- Two in five Māori adults and 27% of Māori children had an unmet need for primary health care in the past 12 months
- Māori children were just as likely as non-Māori children to have visited a dental care worker in the past 12 months