March 29, 2026

#hauora: Child health crisis deepens as preventable illnesses surge

Matthew Tukaki Posted On March 29, 2026

A new report is raising alarm over the state of child health in Aotearoa, with increasing numbers of tamariki being hospitalised for illnesses that could be prevented.

Cure Kids is calling for urgent, coordinated action after its latest State of Child Health report found hospital admissions for conditions such as rheumatic fever and respiratory illnesses have climbed back to pre-Covid levels.

The report highlights three key areas of concern – respiratory disease, rheumatic fever and mental health – alongside growing diagnoses of conditions such as ADHD and autism.

Respiratory illness remains a major driver of hospital admissions, with rates increasing by 60 percent over the past 25 years. One in five hospitalisations among children is now linked to respiratory conditions, with even higher rates among infants.

Rheumatic fever continues to expose deep inequities, with tamariki Māori and Pacific children far more likely to be hospitalised than non-Māori, non-Pacific children. The report indicates most of these cases could be prevented if disparities linked to ethnicity and poverty were addressed.

Mental health is also emerging as a growing concern, with more than one in five young people reporting serious psychological distress, a significant increase over the past decade.

Researchers say the findings point to systemic issues, including poverty, housing conditions and access to healthcare, all contributing to worsening outcomes for children.

There are calls for stronger investment in prevention, including better access to primary care, warm and healthy housing, and targeted public health initiatives.

The report also emphasises the need for improved support systems for children with neurodevelopmental conditions, including faster diagnosis and more coordinated services across health and education.

Cure Kids says the situation requires urgent attention from government, communities and the health sector, warning that without action, the long-term wellbeing of future generations is at risk.