Health in New Zealand

New Zealand is a high income country, and this is reflected in the overall good health status of the population.

[8] New Zealand's outdoor life style and high standard of living are balanced by isolation and a self-reliant culture, which discourages asking for help.

[9] Historically, people with mental health problems were institutionalised, whereas now the focus is on care in the wider community.

[8] The stigma around poor mental health has been lessened in recent years as a result of this change and public education campaigns.

However, New Zealand's Māori people, other minorities, and youth continue to be over-represented in the negative mental health statistics.

Life expectancy development by gender
Obesity rates as a percentages of total population in OECD member countries in the years 1996–2003. New Zealand is 7th, with 20.9% of the adult population having a body mass index of greater than 30.