What Really Makes New Zealanders Feel Healthy

Press Release – Bupa

The study surveyed thousands of Australians and New Zealanders to determine attitudes towards individual health and wellbeing and how where you live and connection to nature can impact this.

A new Bupa Healthy Cities report reveals that three quarters (75%) of New Zealanders say they live in the healthiest place for them, with access to nature, trees and walkable streets topping the list of what makes a place feel healthy.

However, the study exposes growing gaps between generations, genders, and regions and a deep concern that our cities are becoming less healthy and more crowded.

The study surveyed thousands of Australians and New Zealanders to determine attitudes towards individual health and wellbeing and how where you live and connection to nature can impact this.

Generational divide: young Kiwis less likely to see environment as essential to health

While most New Zealanders understand that protecting nature protects human health, younger people are far less likely to make the connection.

Only 72% of 18–24 year olds believe maintaining a healthy environment is essential for people to live healthy lives, compared to 90% of those aged 50+.

The gap extends to mental wellbeing: just 39% of young New Zealanders rate their mental health as good or excellent, compared with 78% of those over 50.

Healthcare access: top concern for Kiwis

When it comes to what’s holding New Zealanders back from living healthier lives, access to healthcare services tops the list of concerns.

Nearly six in ten (59%) New Zealanders are very concerned about access to healthcare, significantly higher than in Australia (43%). Unsurprisingly this drops further in the regions, where only 45% of people rated access to health and wellbeing services as good or excellent.

Green cities, safer streets: the way forward

The research shows New Zealanders want greener, safer and more inclusive communities:

· 86% support planting more trees in their local area, and over half would help care for them.

· 81% believe city planners must prioritise physical and mental health in how cities grow.

· 63% of women say they’d walk more if their area was better lit at night.

· 67% say cities are becoming more crowded and less healthy.

Despite these challenges, New Zealanders are embracing walking as a key to wellbeing, averaging 7.6 hours per week, higher than Australians (6.8 hours). Walking is the main form of exercise for 74% of New Zealanders, valued for both its mental health and environmental benefits.

Climate concern lags behind

Only 43% of New Zealanders believe climate change harms physical health, and 46% say it affects mental wellbeing, both lower than in Australia. Researchers suggest this may reflect lower visibility of climate-driven disasters like bushfires.

Everyone has a responsibility

Pedro Sanchez, Managing Director, Bupa NZ, says, “What stood out for us in this research is that while both New Zealanders and Australians believe governments should invest more in healthy cities, Kiwis see it as a shared responsibility across the public, business, and government sectors, whereas Australians place the duty mainly on government.

“It has reinforced our approach to connect healthy people and healthy planet. We have been working closely with community partners to get Kiwis active, connected, and in nature, whether through Auckland City Council’s Play Month, local wetland regeneration with residents and schools, or Bupa’s flagship Healthy Cities Challenge.

“Throughout October, Bupa’s mission to get people active, focus on their wellbeing and connect with nature, has seen our people and residents walking, running, and exercising to raise funds for tree planting and nature restoration.

Last year NZ logged over 125 million steps during what it calls the Healthy Cities Challenge and planted 25,000 trees as a result. This year Bupa NZ’s people and its residents have already surpassed 200 million steps.

“Walking is the simplest way to connect people and planet health. The Healthy Cities Challenge is about turning everyday actions into visible change and creating healthier outcomes for both our communities and the environment.”

Research Insights

Access to Nature & Healthy Living

• Access to nature is central to why three-quarters of Australians and New Zealanders believe they live in the healthiest place for them.
• Both nations agree that parks, trees, and walkability are key to a healthy environment.
• Kiwis value being away from the hustle and bustle more, while Aussies place slightly more importance on access to bodies of water.
• Green space is seen as non-negotiable for wellbeing: over 85% agree that trees make cities more liveable, reduce stress, cool urban areas, and encourage walking.
• 83% of Australians and 77% of New Zealanders think more trees and green spaces are needed in new developments.
• 86% would support tree planting locally, and over half would like to help plant and care for them.

The Health – Environment Connection

• Over 80% in both countries agree that protecting nature protects human health, and that unhealthy environments contribute to chronic illness.
• However, only about half see a strong link between climate change and human health:
  • Physical health: AUS 49% vs NZ 43%
  • Mental wellbeing: NZ 46%
• Rural vs urban divide in NZ: rural residents report less climate-related health impact (36% physical vs 47% urban; 41% mental vs 50% urban).
• Few (13%) have noticed recent infrastructure improvements making their area healthier.
• Both nations think governments should spend more on creating healthy cities, though Kiwis see this as everyone’s responsibility (public, business, and government), while Australians place the duty primarily on governments.

Generational & Gender Differences

• Older generations (50+) are much more likely than 18–24-year-olds to see environmental health as essential:
  • 76.5% (18–24) vs 88.5% (50+) agree that a healthy environment is essential.
  • 72% (18–24) vs 90% (50+) say maintaining a healthy environment is essential for healthy lives.
  • 70% (18–24) vs 84% (50+) agree protecting nature protects human health.
• Mental health gap:
  • NZ: 39% (18–24) vs 78% (50+) rate their mental health as good/excellent.
  • AUS: 57% (18–24) vs 72% (50+).
• Gender gap:
  • Men report better mental health than women (AUS 68% vs 60%; NZ 71% vs 59%).
  • Across health indicators, sleep, exercise, diet, women report lower outcomes, with the biggest gap in physical health (men 66% vs women 58%).
• Private health insurance is linked with better health outcomes, especially mental wellbeing.

Walking, Fitness & Daily Health Habits

• Walking is the main form of exercise for both nations (NZ 74%, AUS 68%).
• Average walking time per week: NZ 7.6 hours, AUS 6.8 hours.
• 86% say walking improves mental wellbeing.
• 59% track steps, often aiming for 10,000 per day.
• Safety and environment affect walking habits:
  • 80% feel safe walking locally.
  • Over half of women avoid certain areas (AUS 52%, NZ 50%) and would walk more if areas were better lit (AUS 65% women vs 57% men; NZ 63% vs 51%).
  • People would walk more with better lighting, greener streets, and fewer vehicles.
• Australians are more likely than Kiwis to walk for sustainability reasons (64% vs 58%).

Cities, Community & Access to Services

• Nearly half (49%) feel cities have become less healthy in the past 10 years.
• 67% of Kiwis say cities are becoming more crowded, negatively affecting health.
• 81% believe city planners should design communities supporting physical and mental health.
• Access to healthcare is a top concern for New Zealanders (59% very concerned) versus Australians (43%). Australians’ main concerns are loss of green space and overcrowding.
• Regional vs metro gaps:
  • NZ: 45% regional vs 60% metro rate access to health services as good/excellent.
  • AUS: 62% regional vs 70% metro.
• Overall rating for access to health services: NZ 54%, AUS 67%.
• Only half of New Zealanders feel their local area supports people of all abilities and backgrounds, though 62% say their community provides a supportive environment.
• 54% feel part of their local community.
• Kiwis are more eager to participate in local health programs (NZ 45% vs AUS 38%).

Attitudes to Climate, Nature & Future Health

• Australians are more likely to feel climate change affects physical health (49% vs 43% in NZ).
• This difference may stem from recent bushfire experiences.
• Both countries agree that planting more trees and greening urban areas are vital for health and climate resilience.

About the research

The Healthy Cities Report surveyed 2,000 Australians and 1,000 New Zealanders aged 18+ between 30 May – 16 June 2025. The survey was conducted online by Quantum on behalf of Bupa and is nationally representative in both countries.

About Bupa Asia Pacific

Bupa is an international healthcare group which has been committed to a purpose of helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world for more than 70 years.

Bupa Asia Pacific operates in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong, supporting about 8.2 million customers through a broad range of health and care services including health insurance, aged care, dental, medical, optical and hearing services.

Employing more than 22,000 people in the region, we believe that we can make a real difference to the lives of customers through our values, purpose and the way that we deliver personalised care.

Over the past 17+ years we have invested more than AUD$36 million in partnerships and programs focused on improving health of communities across Australia.

Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz
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