March 06, 2026

#hauora: Charity Urges Kiwis to Test Kidney Health During Awareness Month

Dale Husband Posted On March 6, 2026

A national kidney health charity is urging people across Aotearoa to request a simple health test this March as part of a campaign to raise awareness about kidney disease and encourage earlier detection.

Kidney Health New Zealand has launched its “Love Your Kidneys – Request a Test” campaign during Kidney Awareness Month, encouraging people to talk with their doctors and request a kidney health check. The initiative aims to highlight how common kidney disease is and how easily it can go undetected without routine testing.

Health advocates say kidney disease is often described as a silent condition because many people do not experience symptoms until significant damage has already occurred. By the time warning signs appear, kidney function can already be seriously reduced, making early testing critical to preventing long-term complications.

A simple kidney health test can usually be done through a blood test and urine sample, often alongside a blood pressure check. Medical professionals say these routine tests can help identify early signs of kidney problems and allow people to manage risk factors before the condition progresses.

Kidney disease is a significant public health issue both globally and in Aotearoa. Health experts estimate that around one in ten people are affected by chronic kidney disease, with many unaware they have it.

Certain groups are considered to be at higher risk, including people with diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of kidney disease. Māori and Pasifika communities are also disproportionately affected, with significantly higher rates of kidney failure compared with the wider population.

Advocates say this makes early testing especially important for communities already facing higher health risks.

Health organisations warn that without early detection, kidney disease can progress to kidney failure, requiring dialysis or transplantation to survive. These treatments place major demands on both patients and the health system.

The awareness campaign is designed to encourage people to take simple preventative steps by asking their doctor for a kidney health check and learning more about their personal risk factors.

Community outreach events and health expos are also being held across the country during March to promote kidney health, provide information and connect people with screening opportunities.

Organisers say the message is straightforward: checking kidney health early can save lives.

By encouraging more New Zealanders to request a test, the campaign aims to reduce the number of people who only discover kidney disease when it has already reached an advanced stage.