Heart disease strikes Māori and Pacific people more than a decade earlier, new report shows

Māori and Pacific people are hospitalised or die from heart disease more than a decade earlier, on average, than other New Zealanders.

A new report, commissioned by The Heart of Aotearoa – Kia Manawanui Trust and prepared by University of Otago, reveals the median age of death was just 69 for Māori and Pacific peoples – 16 years younger than the median age of 85 for European/Other – and the median age of hospitalisation for Māori was 60, Pacific Peoples was 50 and NZ European/Other is 73.

Trust Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says it is clear that our heart healthcare system is not delivering consistent care across regions or communities.

“We’re seeing people affected by heart disease at a much younger age, depending on where they live and their background. 

“That’s a clear sign that the current model is not meeting everyone’s needs equally.”

In 2020, Māori had the highest rate of death from heart disease in the country at 99.6 deaths per 100,000 people – more than twice the rate of European/Other (43.3). The rate of death from heart disease for Pacific Peoples was 79.2 per 100,000 people.

Trust Medical Director Dr Sarah Fairley, and Wellington-based cardiologist, says this trend extends to every major cardiac condition.

“Heart failure, atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy – Māori and Pacific people are not only experiencing these conditions earlier, but in far greater numbers.

“For example, the rate of hospitalisation for heart failure is four times higher for Māori and Pacific Peoples than for NZ Europeans.”

Ms Harding says these patterns point to a need for more targeted support.

“What we need is investment in the right places – regions with higher need and proven workforce shortages.

“If we can ensure people get timely diagnosis and treatment no matter who they are or where they live, we can begin to close these gaps.”