How to access health data

How you can access published and unpublished health and mortality data.


Published data

Data on health topics is available on our website, and the Ministry of Health website.

Data sets and national collections

Access the latest health data and statistics on our website.

Data sets and collections

Surveys and other data sets

Data from population surveys and historical data sets are available on the Ministry of Health website.

Statistics and research — Ministry of Healthexternal link


Unpublished data

We can provide specific information not normally available in our publications. These are 'customised requests' and need extra information from our databases.

Policies about accessing extra data depends on where the data comes from.

National collections

Email us with the details of the information you need at data-enquiries@tewhatuora.govt.nz

There may be a charge for some requests. The team will send you details about any payment needed.

Surveys and other data sets

Confidentialised unit record files (CURFs) of the population surveys may be available to researchers after the release of key survey results.

CURFs have been modified to protect individual information. Stats NZ holds the population survey CURFs. Go to their website to find out how to access this data.

Confidentialised unit record files (CURFs) — Stats NZexternal link


Other data sources

The New Zealand Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study (NZBD) analyses health losses sustained by people in New Zealand of:

  • all ages
  • both sexes
  • both major ethnic groups.

Information based on data from the NZBD includes:

  • causes of health loss
  • the relative impact of different diseases, injuries and risk factors
  • health expectancy.

The data:

  • is owned by Ministry of Health
  • was a one-off production.

Longer, Healthier Lives: New Zealand’s Health 1990–2017 — Ministry of Healthexternal link

The Disability survey collects information on people living with and without impairments in New Zealand.

Information based on data from the Disability survey includes:

  • prevalence, nature, duration and causes of disability
  • barriers that people with disabilities encounter in everyday life
  • employment, transport, education, accommodation and special equipment.

The data is:

  • owned by Stats NZ
  • produced every 5 years.

Disability — Stats NZexternal link

The General social survey (GSS) collects information on a wide range of topics that will give an overall picture of the social well-being of people in New Zealand.

Information based on data from the GSS includes:

  • how wellbeing varies across different groups within the population
  • relationships between different aspects of life and to overall wellbeing.

The data is:

  • owned by Stats NZ
  • produced every 2 years.

Society — Stats NZexternal link

Statistics about life expectancy gives information about the patterns of mortality (death) and survival at various ages.

Information on life expectancy includes:

  • patterns of mortality
  • New Zealand life-period tables
  • births and deaths.

The data is:

  • owned by Stats NZ
  • produced every 5 years.

Life expectancy — Stats NZexternal link

The New Zealand Census is the official count of how many people and dwellings there are in New Zealand.

Information based on data from the New Zealand Census includes:

  • demographic information including: health, income and education
  • iwi and te reo Māori
  • regional information including by: DHB, regional council, TLA and area unit
  • much more.

The data is:

  • owned by Stats NZ
  • produced every 5 years.

Census — Stats NZexternal link

Population statistics includes the number of births registered in New Zealand each year, along with statistics about:

  • deaths
  • marriages
  • civil unions
  • divorces.

Information on population statistics includes:

  • population data
  • birth registrations
  • fertility rates
  • marriages, civil unions and divorces
  • birth tables.

The data is:

  • owned by Stats NZ
  • produced annually.

Population — Stats NZexternal link

Te Kupenga provides information on the wellbeing of Māori and is focused on addressing key social and cultural information needs.

Information based on data from Te Kupenga includes:

  • wellbeing
  • demographics
  • economic standard of living
  • health
  • knowledge and skills
  • te reo Māori and tikanga Māori.

The data is owned by Stats NZ.

The survey was run in 2013 and 2018.

Te Kupenga — Stats NZexternal link