The government took decisive action on a critical health issue with the launch of the National Diabetes Roadmap — a forward‑looking, coordinated strategy to improve care, strengthen prevention, and protect health outcomes for the hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders living with diabetes.
Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasised that diabetes remains “one of the fastest-growing long‑term health conditions in New Zealand,” now affecting an estimated 348,000 people and imposing increasing strain on individuals, families, and our publicly funded health system.
Rather than vague goals detached from measurable outcomes, this plan sets a clear, coordinated direction for the health system over the next five to ten years. Key priorities include (1) strong leadership in planning and delivery; (2) earlier intervention to stop progression before serious harm occurs; (3) improved access to care for those who need it; (4) a stronger workforce and better use of technology across the system; and (5) action on the drivers of diabetes rather than simply treating its symptoms.
The government also acted responsibly by incorporating recent evidence into practical policy improvements. A Health New Zealand review completed in November 2025 underscored both the current scale and the looming financial burden: $2.1 billion was spent on diabetes care last year alone, with projections indicating that cost could double by 2040 without meaningful change.
A key policy update in the roadmap is the revised diagnostic threshold for type 2 diabetes, which will bring around 34,500 New Zealanders previously classified as prediabetic into a diagnosis aligned with international standards. This change supports earlier clinical engagement and clearly defined treatment pathways, which are essential to reducing complications and improving long‑term outcomes.
Alongside the diagnostic change, the plan includes a series of practical initiatives to strengthen service delivery. These include expanding foot and retinal screening, growing and supporting the diabetes workforce, improving access to care, expanding community‑based support, and exploring the use of new technologies so that care is proactive and efficient.
To ensure this isn’t just another government document gathering dust, an oversight group chaired by Sir Jim Mann has been established to champion implementation and keep the roadmap on track.