Respiratory hospitalisations increase by 16 per cent over three years
Monday 12 October 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story University of Otago
Hospitalisations due to respiratory disease rose from 80,230 in 2022 to 97,151 in 2025. Children under 15 and adults over 65 represent approximately 70 per cent of these admissions. The Cardiac and Respiratory Foundation NZ has called for government funding for a baby RSV vaccine.
Key facts
3 facts
- Respiratory hospitalisations rose from 80,230 in 2022 to 97,151 in 2025
- Respiratory disease costs the NZ economy $11.5 billion annually
- Lung cancer caused 3,477 hospitalisations last year
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
Respiratory hospitalisations in New Zealand rose 16 per cent over three years, increasing from 80,230 in 2022 to 97,151 in 2025. Children under 15 and adults over 65 account for approximately 70 per cent of these admissions.
The Cardiac and Respiratory Foundation NZ is calling for the Government to fund the RSV vaccine, nirsevimab, from April 2027. The foundation wants the vaccine provided to all babies under one year old and high-risk children under two.
Respiratory disease costs the New Zealand economy roughly $11.5 billion annually, which is a $3 billion increase compared to the previous three years. Lung cancer remains the deadliest cancer in the country, causing 1,912 deaths annually and 3,477 hospitalisations last year.
Māori and Pacific peoples are disproportionately affected by lung cancer and respiratory hospitalisations. Māori die from lung cancer at 2.75 times the rate of other New Zealanders, while Pacific peoples die at 1.52 times the rate.
Where reports differ
- One report states children under 15 make up 70 per cent of admissions, while another specifies children under 14.
Compiled from reports by The Press and RNZ.