# Life Expectancy in New Zealand — Stats NZ Key Data

**Source URL:** https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/maori-have-highest-increases-in-life-expectancy/
**Publisher/Organisation:** Stats NZ
**Date accessed:** June 2026
**Publication date:** July 2025 (data for 2022–2024)
**Folder/category:** 12 Statistics and Demographics
**Source type:** Web capture
**NZ-specific:** Yes
**Reliability rating:** High (official national statistics agency)

## Why this source matters

Stats NZ is the definitive source for population and demographic data. This page contains life expectancy data by ethnicity, sex, and region — critical for understanding the ageing population context. The KB previously had only one Stats NZ report (Housing in Aotearoa) so this fills the demographic data gap.

## Key data points

**Current life expectancy at birth (2022–2024):**

- Total population: 81.8 years
- European/Other: 82.8 years
- Māori: 75.8 years (gap of 7 years vs European)
- Pacific: 76.9 years (gap of 5.9 years vs European)
- Asian: 86.3 years

**Life expectancy by sex (total population):**

- Male: 80.1 years
- Female: 83.5 years

**Historical trends:**

- Māori had the largest increase: +3.1 years since 2005–2007
- All other ethnic groups: +1.5–1.6 years
- Life expectancy stalled in last 5 years (smallest increase since 1960s)

**Regional data (2022–2024):**

- Highest: Tasman (male 82.8, female 85.7)
- Highest: Auckland (male 81.1, female 84.3)
- Lowest: Gisborne (male 77.9, female 81.5)

**Projections (median assumption):**

- 2033: Male 82.3, Female 85.4
- 2048: Male 84.6, Female 87.4

## Related links

- National Population Projections: 2024(base)–2078
- National and subnational period life tables: 2022–2024
- NZ cohort life tables: March 2025 update

## Notes for future updates

Stats NZ updates life expectancy data every 2-3 years. Next update expected ~2027.