Revealing the Scale: Key Findings from the 2024/25 New Zealand Health Survey

The 2024/25 New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS), conducted between July 2024 and July 2025, has provided the first nationally representative data on Long COVID prevalence in Aotearoa New Zealand. Long COVID, defined as symptoms that start during or after a COVID-19 infection and last for three months or longer—without explanation by another diagnosis—affects a substantial portion of the population. Nearly 78% of adults (77.7%, or over 3.3 million people) reported ever having had COVID-19, with women slightly more likely than men to report infection (79.8% vs 75.5%). Among these, 9.2% of all adults—or 11.9% of those infected—described ever experiencing Long COVID symptoms, equating to about 401,000 individuals. Crucially, around 185,000 adults (4.3%) were still grappling with ongoing symptoms during the survey period, with nearly half (48.5%) of those who ever had Long COVID continuing to suffer.

This surge underscores the persistent burden of the pandemic, even as acute cases wane. The survey's self-reported nature offers valuable insights into lived experiences, though it highlights the need for clinical validation and longitudinal tracking through initiatives like university-led registries.

Demographic Disparities: Who Is Most Affected?

Long COVID does not impact all groups equally. Women face higher rates: among COVID-positive respondents, 14.9% reported Long COVID symptoms compared to 8.5% of men. This gender gap is particularly pronounced in those under 65, where hormonal, immunological, or caregiving factors may play roles, as explored in ongoing university research. Ethnicity reveals stark inequities—Māori adults were 1.4 times more likely to report symptoms (15.5% vs 11.3% non-Māori), reflecting higher infection rates and socioeconomic determinants. Disabled adults showed the highest vulnerability, with 22.8% affected post-COVID versus 11.0% non-disabled, amplifying existing health disparities.

• Māori: 15.5% prevalence post-COVID, highlighting urgent need for culturally responsive care.
• Pacific peoples: Lower COVID exposure (71.5%) but data gaps persist.
• Asian adults: Similar lower exposure (71.2%), calling for targeted studies.
• Older adults (65+): Lower overall rates (64.4% ever COVID), but symptoms may overlap with age-related conditions.

Neighbourhood deprivation also correlates with lower reported COVID rates in most deprived areas (70.7%), potentially due to under-testing or access barriers. These patterns demand intersectional research from New Zealand universities to inform policy.

University of Auckland's Long COVID Registry: Pioneering Data Collection

The University of Auckland's Mātauranga Raranga Long COVID Registry represents a cornerstone of academic response, aiming to quantify the condition's burden and track long-term outcomes. Estimating 10-20% of COVID cases develop Long COVID—potentially 200,000 Kiwis—the registry weaves patient voices with clinical data for 'knowledge sharing and purposeful creation'. This initiative addresses survey limitations by providing longitudinal insights, including immune dysfunction markers shared with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Complementing the NZHS, the registry supports multi-disciplinary studies on symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and breathlessness, fostering collaborations across Auckland's medical precinct.

Otago University Insights: Healthcare Access Challenges for Long COVID Patients

A 2025 University of Otago study published in PLOS One exposed systemic failures in primary care for Long COVID sufferers. Patients reported gaslighting, unmet needs, and financial strain from self-advocacy, with providers uncertain due to limited training. Lead author Sarah Rhodes from the School of Physiotherapy called for physiotherapy-led clinics, funding, and awareness campaigns. This qualitative analysis of interviews underscores the survey's prevalence data, revealing how 185,000 current cases strain general practice without dedicated resources.

Read the full Otago study on primary care experiences.

Symptoms and Mechanisms: What University Research Reveals

Common Long COVID symptoms—fatigue (most prevalent), cognitive issues, shortness of breath, sensory changes—persist due to multi-system involvement: immune dysregulation, neurological damage, metabolic shifts. University of Auckland researchers probe immune links with ME/CFS, while Victoria University of Wellington's Health Services Research Centre advances evidence-based management via Health Research Council funding. A global consensus paper highlighted by Auckland experts notes post-exertional malaise as a hallmark, undetectable by standard tests, complicating diagnosis.

• Fatigue: Limits daily function, akin to ME/CFS.
• Brain fog: Impairs concentration, affecting academic performance.
• Cardiorespiratory issues: Dyspnea post-exertion.
• Sensory: Loss of taste/smell, chronic pain.

Impacts on Higher Education: Students, Staff, and Research

Long COVID ripples through New Zealand's universities, where young adults—peak demographic—face disrupted studies and careers. Victoria University notes housebound students from post-viral conditions like Long COVID and ME/CFS. Otago research shows over 20% of children/teens with persistent symptoms, portending higher ed challenges: reduced attendance, cognitive hurdles, mental health strain. Academics, too, report productivity losses, mirroring national workforce impacts where Long COVID halves work capacity for some.

Universities lead mitigation: remote learning adaptations, wellness programs, and research like Massey's patient experience studies. Yet, border closures and pandemic staffing shifts linger, with casual academic roles vulnerable.

Economic Toll: Billions in Lost Productivity

Extrapolating from Australian data, Long COVID may cost New Zealand $2 billion annually in reduced productivity—0.5% GDP—excluding healthcare burdens. With 185,000 affected, many unable to work full-time, the strain hits sectors like education. Public Health experts urge prevention to safeguard economy. University economists model reinfection risks amplifying this 'long tail'.

Explore the full NZ Health Survey dataset for deeper analysis.

Management Strategies and Emerging Treatments

No cure exists, but paced activity, symptom management, and multidisciplinary care help. Ministry guidelines place responsibility on primary care, yet Otago's work reveals gaps. Vaccination reduces risk/severity; ventilation curbs spread. University trials explore antivirals, rehab protocols—e.g., Auckland's immune biomarkers for personalized therapy.

Future Directions: Calls for Coordinated Research and Policy

Academics demand a national plan: clinics, surveillance, research funding. With ninth COVID wave, universities position as hubs—Wellington's co-design with patients, ANZMES scholarships for ME/CFS-Long COVID studies. Optimism lies in data-driven responses balancing health, economy, equity.

Stakeholders—from Māori researchers to Pacific collectives—advocate whānau-centered approaches. As prevalence stabilizes, proactive uni-government partnerships promise resilience.

Photo by Hush Naidoo Jade Photography on Unsplash