Disabled Health Gaps NZ: Health Survey Exposes Persistent Wellbeing Challenges and Neurodivergence Surge

The latest New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS) for 2024/25 paints a stark picture of ongoing disparities in health and wellbeing for disabled individuals across the country. Released in late 2025 by the Ministry of Health, this comprehensive annual study draws from responses by over 9,000 adults and 2,800 children, highlighting not only persistent gaps but also a notable uptick in neurodivergence diagnoses among young people. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to bridge divides in healthcare access, mental health support, and overall life satisfaction, particularly as societal awareness grows around conditions like ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Disabled New Zealanders, who make up about one in six of the population according to the 2023 Household Disability Survey, face compounded challenges that affect daily living and long-term outcomes. The survey employs standardized tools like the Washington Group Short Set for adults and the Child Functioning Module for children aged 5-14 to identify disability, ensuring consistent measurement across demographics.

Recent data from Stats NZ's 2023 Household Disability Survey estimates that 17% of New Zealanders—or roughly 851,000 people—live with a disability. This figure encompasses a broad spectrum, from mobility and sensory impairments to cognitive and mental health conditions. Among children, the rate stands at around 10%, signaling early-life impacts that carry into adulthood.

Neurodivergence, encompassing conditions such as ADHD, ASD, dyslexia, and others that diverge from typical neurological development, is increasingly recognized. While exact prevalence varies by diagnostic criteria, the NZHS notes a surge in reported cases, particularly among girls, challenging traditional gender stereotypes where boys were more commonly diagnosed.

One of the most telling indicators is self-rated health. Only 61.4% of disabled adults described their health as good, very good, or excellent, compared to 89.0% of non-disabled adults. This gap persists even after adjusting for age and gender, pointing to systemic issues rather than demographics alone.

For children aged 5-14, 90.3% of disabled kids were rated in good health by caregivers, versus 98.6% for non-disabled peers. Oral health fares similarly poorly, with 63.2% of disabled adults reporting good oral health against 78.3% overall, often linked to barriers in routine dental care.

Mental wellbeing emerges as a critical area of concern. A staggering 35.5% of disabled adults experienced high or very high psychological distress (measured via the Kessler-10 scale), dwarfing the 12.2% rate among non-disabled adults. Loneliness affects 12.8% of disabled adults most or all of the time, triple the 3.5% for others.

Life satisfaction is lower too: 64.3% of disabled adults report high or very high levels, versus 85.2% non-disabled. Family wellbeing scores similarly, at 71.2% versus 84.3%. Disabled children show elevated emotional and behavioral issues, with 52.3% screening positive on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, compared to 5.2% of non-disabled peers.

Caregivers of disabled children report greater stress, with only 57.6% coping well or very well, and 32.7% finding their child harder to care for daily.

Despite higher healthcare utilization—89.8% of disabled adults saw a GP in the past year versus 74.9% non-disabled, and 35.0% visited emergency departments compared to 15.4%—unmet needs plague the system. 21.9% of disabled adults had unmet mental health or addictions support, double the 9.4% for non-disabled. For children, it's 28.9% versus 3.4%.

• Wait times too long: 33.2% disabled adults vs 24.7% non-disabled
• Cost barriers for GP: 22.8% vs 14.1%
• Transport issues: 11.2% vs 2.3%
• Unfilled prescriptions due to cost: 7.4% vs 3.2%

Private health insurance coverage is lower at 19.6%, exacerbating inequities. For detailed data, explore the NZHS Annual Data Explorer.

Photo by Tristan Dixon on Unsplash

The survey reveals a marked rise in neurodevelopmental diagnoses among children aged 5-14. ADHD prevalence jumped from 3.2% in 2022/23 to 5.8% in 2024/25; ASD from 2.5% to 3.7%; and hyperactivity from 9.7% to 12.3%. Girls drove this trend: ADHD from 1.3% to 4.9%, ASD 1.0% to 2.4%, hyperactivity 6.7% to 9.3%.

Among disabled children, rates are far higher: 26.9% with ADHD (girls), 16.4% ASD. Over half of diagnosed children meet disability criteria, highlighting intersectionality. This rise likely reflects improved screening and awareness rather than true incidence growth, yet it strains support systems.

Disabled adults face elevated risks in substance use. They are 1.9 times more likely to smoke daily, 1.7 times to vape daily, and experience higher second-hand smoke exposure. Among drinkers, hazardous patterns are 1.5 times commoner. Illicit drugs show stark odds ratios: 3.3x for amphetamines, 3.0x opioids, 2.0x cannabis.

Physical inactivity affects 28.3% (little/none), versus 10.8%; sleep guidelines met by 45.5% vs 69.5%.

Families with disabled children grapple with food insecurity (37.8% eat less due to money shortages vs 20.7%) and caregiver strain. Disabled children are overweight/obese at 45.0% vs 30.4%, yet meet fruit/veg guidelines more (7.2% vs 2.1%).

The From Data to Dignity 2026 report details intellectual disability specifics, showing even steeper gaps in employment, housing, and health.

Whaikaha's New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2030 aims to address these through four goals: Te Tiriti leadership, equitable outcomes, barrier removal, and disabled-led systems. Recent specialist schools for neurodivergent youth signal progress, though higher education lags in tailored support.

New Zealand universities like AUT and University of Waikato offer dedicated services for neurodivergent and disabled students, including sensory spaces and academic accommodations. Amid rising diagnoses, unis must enhance mental health resources, as survey trends suggest tertiary wellbeing challenges mirror broader patterns. Research from NZ unis on inclusive education can inform national strategies, fostering environments where neurodiversity thrives.

Photo by Lisha Riabinina on Unsplash

• Invest in transport subsidies and telehealth to cut access barriers.
• Boost mental health funding, prioritizing disabled youth.
• Promote neurodiversity-affirming training for educators and clinicians.
• Encourage unis to expand peer support and flexible learning for disabled students.
• Monitor neurodivergence trends via ongoing surveys for early interventions.

Stakeholders from government to academia must collaborate for equitable wellbeing.