Listen Now: 
April 09, 2026
#hauora: Poverty Named Key Driver of Dementia Crisis in Aotearoa
Waatea Team
Posted On April 9, 2026
Reducing poverty could be the most powerful tool New Zealand has to lower dementia rates, according to new research highlighting deep inequities in who is most at risk.
University of Auckland researcher Dr Etuini Ma’u says deprivation, not ethnicity, is the strongest predictor of dementia, with people living in the most disadvantaged communities facing a 50 percent higher risk than those in the most affluent areas.
His modelling shows that if all New Zealanders experienced the same living conditions as the wealthiest 20 percent, dementia rates could fall by nearly one-fifth over the next three decades.
The findings come as dementia rates continue to rise, particularly among Māori and Pacific communities, where rates are about 50 percent higher for those aged over 60 compared with European and Asian populations. A significant proportion of Māori and Pacific people live in the most deprived areas, increasing exposure to risk factors.
The research points to a complex web of causes, with deprivation linked to higher rates of smoking, obesity, diabetes, alcohol use and limited access to healthy environments. Communities facing poverty are more likely to be surrounded by fast food outlets, alcohol and tobacco retailers, while having fewer opportunities for physical activity and access to green spaces.
Barriers to healthcare also play a major role, with cost and access limiting early diagnosis and treatment for conditions that contribute to dementia.
The study reinforces international findings that dementia is the result of cumulative damage to the brain over a lifetime, shaped by both health behaviours and social conditions. Many of the known risk factors, including poor diet, lack of exercise, social isolation and untreated health issues, are more prevalent in deprived communities.
With the number of people living with dementia in New Zealand projected to double from 83,000 in 2025 to nearly 170,000 by 2050, the pressure on the health system is expected to intensify. Costs are forecast to rise from $3 billion to almost $6 billion over the same period.
Dr Ma’u says meaningful change will require shifting the focus away from individual responsibility and toward structural solutions, including reducing poverty, improving access to healthcare, and creating environments that support healthier lifestyles.
Policy options such as increasing taxes on alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy foods, alongside improving access to affordable primary care and culturally appropriate services, are being highlighted as key levers to reduce risk.
The research underscores the need for targeted investment in communities most affected, with the potential to not only improve health outcomes but significantly reduce the long-term social and economic burden of dementia in Aotearoa.
RELATED NEWS
