The results of our Arthritis NZ Mateponapona Aotearoa Arthritis Confidence Index: Voices of the Community (ACI) survey are now out. They highlight the far-reaching impacts of arthritis on many New Zealanders, including mental health, wellbeing, and financial stability.
More than 1,560 people with arthritis participated in the survey in October and November 2025, making it one of the largest studies of its kind undertaken by a health charity in New Zealand.
Dr Richard Griffiths, Research Manager, said the ACI provided valuable new information.
“The ACI results show the lived experience of people reflecting their journey and how they live with a type of arthritis, but also how much there is to tell and share about the impact of arthritis on people’s everyday lives.
“We are extremely grateful to the people who shared their lived experience and views.
“A significant majority – 73% of people who completed our survey – consider their arthritis to be a disability. It can affect walking and other physical activities, and many people have difficulty with everyday tasks such as personal care and household chores.
“A significant majority – 73% of people who completed our survey – consider their arthritis to be a disability."
“Another very interesting finding was that very few people are using AI tools to access health information. That underlines the importance of services such as our Arthritis Assist programme, which provides a personal connection.”
Other key findings included:
- many people (69%) have osteoarthritis, 24% have rheumatoid arthritis, while the remainder have other forms of arthritis. Many have more than one form
- a high number are of working age: 52% were aged 55–74 and 17% were aged 35–54
- almost half (49%) experience moderate pain levels in a typical week, 21% mild pain, 20% severe pain, and 5% very severe pain
- over half (58%) felt their mental health and wellbeing was adversely affected by arthritis, with almost a quarter (23%) having received a mental health diagnosis at some point in their lives
- about a quarter (26%) said they could not exercise (7%) or had severe problems exercising (19%). Forty percent had moderate problems and 28% slight problems exercising. Only 6% reported no problems when exercising
- around half (53%) felt their personal health was poor or only fair. Only 29% said they had good health, 15% very good health, and 2% excellent health
- 12% had taken sick leave in the previous 12 months due to their condition, and 13% had worked when they should have taken sick leave
- as a result of their condition, 16% said they were experiencing loss of earnings through being unable to work, 22% had borrowed money from family or friends, and 21% reported financial anxiety or stress
The biggest change from the 2024 ACI was in the response to our question: “How satisfied are you with the Government’s management of the healthcare sector and healthcare-related issues over the past 12 months?”
Seventy percent of consumers in 2025 were either dissatisfied (30%) or very dissatisfied (40%), compared with a combined total of 62% in 2024. About a third (32%) did not think life would get better for people with arthritis over the next 12 months.
Many respondents have other long-term health conditions, with almost a third living with heart disease.
Most felt their GP understood their condition and needs, and most were able to get a GP appointment within a month. However, for 13% it had taken one to two months, a significant increase of 5% compared with 2024. Wait times to see a specialist ranged from within one month to more than six months, with 11% still waiting.
The majority of our consumer community said they do not use AI platforms to access health information or advice to help them manage their arthritis (78%).
The survey followed the first ACI in 2024 and provided Arthritis NZ with the most up-to-date information, data, and understanding of the issues facing its consumer community.
“Unless you or someone in your family has arthritis, you may not know what it is like,” said Dr Griffiths. “So having people from the community talk about their lived experience of arthritis is powerful and so important.
“Unless you or someone in your family has arthritis you may not know what it is like,” says Dr Griffiths. “So having the people from the community talking about their lived experience of arthritis is powerful and so important.”
“It is vital for those who are able to change the system to listen to the voices of everyday people because those voices often get missed.”
The 2025 ACI: Voices of the Community report was prepared by Dr Richard Griffiths, Research Manager at Arthritis NZ, together with input from colleagues and market research partner Insights HQ.
Members of our Link Group, or consumer group, pilot-tested the survey in both years before launch to make sure it was fit for purpose and appropriate for other people with arthritis.
The development of the ACI was supported by grants from the Room-Simmonds Trust and Perpetual Guardian Foundation.
