Asthma in Aotearoa: Not a pretty picture

Imagine that every, single person in Hamilton has asthma.

That’s how many New Zealand children live with the challenges, fears and disadvantages of asthma.

“At well over 200 000, the number of New Zealand children with asthma is far greater than the population of the Hamilton urban area [203 000 ],” the Asthma Foundation’s Chief Executive, Angela Francis, says.

The Asthma Foundation has calculated estimated children’s asthma prevalence figures for New Zealand’s regions as well, which will shock many New Zealanders. The figures are based on 1 in 4 New Zealand children having asthma and census 2006 regional population numbers.

For example in Auckland, it’s estimated about 70 000 children have asthma (nearly as many people as in the Rodney District) and in Wellington about 23 000, or the population of Johnsonville.

“And, this is not just about numbers, but children’s everyday lives. We’re committed to alleviating the fear, pain and disadvantage that children with asthma face. The wheezing; the breathlessness; the days off school. The sudden, scary trips to hospital, ” Angela says.

Asthma Awareness Week is 27 April until 3 May with Balloon Day on Friday 29 April. In addition to its message that “1 in 4 children struggles to blow up a balloon. Asthma won’t let them”, the Asthma Foundation is asking New Zealanders to join them in Keeping our Kids out of Hospital.




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The estimated prevalence figures for each region are on the next page.
If you would like more information, please contact the Foundation’s Communications Manager, Malcolm Aitken, on (04) 499 4592 or 027 62 52 835.










These figures are based on census 2006 data.

Estimated number of children with asthma in each region of New Zealand

Region Number of children with asthma (est)


Northland 8685
Auckland 71752
Waikato 21910
BOP 14799
Gisborne 2898
Taranaki 5700
Hawke’s Bay 8497
Manawatu-Wanganui 12122
Wellington 23121
Tasman region 2398
Nelson 1554
Marlborough region 1978
Canterbury 25569
West Coast region 1597
Otago 8527
Southland 4816


Total: 215 923

The numbers are for children aged under 15 only and do not include the Chatham Islands.