Life expectancy rises but gains are slower

New Zealanders’ life expectancy at birth continues to rise, with the figure for males getting to 80, but the improvement has slowed from previous decades. Figures published by Stats NZ yesterday show the 80-year life expectancy for males is up by six months since 2012-14, and by two years since 2005-07. Female life expectancy has risen to 83.5 years, up 0.3 and 1.3 years, respectively, over the same time periods. The data is based on death rates in the 2017-19 period. Life expectancy at birth was 73.4 years for Ma¯ori males in 2017–19 (up 3.1 years from 2005–07), and 77.1 years for Ma¯ori females (up two years from 2005–07). Asian males had a life expectancy of 85.1 years and Asian females were at 87.9 years. Professor Ngaire Kerse, the Joyce Cook Chair in Ageing Well at Auckland University, said the reason for the lower life expectancy of Ma¯ori was complex.