News

Southern Cross Health Insurance has launched the inaugural Feel Good Index1, an annual survey of how New Zealanders are feeling about their current and future health.

Nick Astwick, Southern Cross Health Society Chief Executive said while the overall results showed encouraging levels of optimism, the findings highlight a need for a national conversation about what’s robbing New Zealanders of their healthy years.

“The average lifespan, or how long we live for in New Zealand, is 822 but the actual healthspan - or how many of those years we live in good health - is 70. That’s a significant period of time we lose to poor health.”

Astwick said the survey results highlight a general lack of awareness of the problem, and revealed New Zealanders were more confident when it comes to managing their finances than their health.

“Of those surveyed, 81% said they felt confident about managing their finances for the future compared to 72% who expressed confidence in their ability to stay healthy and improve their long-term health.

“While it’s great to see such high levels of financial confidence, there is nothing more essential than our physical and mental wellbeing, especially in our later years, so there’s an opportunity for us all to do more in this space.

“At Southern Cross, our vision is for a healthier Aotearoa New Zealand, and our purpose is empowering our members to live well longer. It’s time we claimed back our healthy years.”

The Feel Good Index survey results – key findings:

• 69% of New Zealanders agreed they were feeling good about their health and wellbeing, and 70% said they felt good about how their health and wellbeing would be in the future.
• 67% said they were currently investing in their health and fitness to stay independent as they get older. This rose with age - from 56% of those aged under 30 to 76% of those aged 60 and over.
• 81% of survey respondents said they feel confident about managing their finances for the future compared to 72% who reported feeling confident in their ability to stay healthy and improve their long-term health. Those aged 60 and over were less likely to say they were confident they could improve their long-term health (64%).
• On average, New Zealanders want to live to 89 years old, compared to the national average of 82 years3.
• 84% of respondents were unaware of how long the average Kiwi spends in poor health at the end of their lives.
• When told about healthspan, 75% of respondents said they wanted more information on how to improve their future health, although 79% agreed they know what they should be doing to stay healthier for longer.

“While it’s encouraging that six in ten New Zealanders feel their current lifestyle is setting them up to be healthy and pain free, that still leaves a significant proportion who don’t,” said Astwick.

“Cost and affordability (32%), motivation or willpower (19%), and a lack of time (10%) were cited as the biggest barriers preventing people from taking action to improve their long-term health.”

Astwick added, “At Southern Cross, we see our role expanding beyond providing our members with access to healthcare when they need it. We’re also investing in and incentivising healthy behaviours as we deliver on our ambition to be the health partner of choice for more New Zealanders.

“Over time, the Feel Good Index will provide a useful measure of how we’re feeling as a nation and it’s my hope through conversation and action, we can claim back our healthy years.”

1. Source: Talbot Mills Research, Southern Cross Feel Good Index, March 2026 (n=1,016)*¹
2. Stats NZ Life expectancy tables (2022–2024)
3. Source: Stats NZ Life expectancy tables (2022–2024)