The National Diabetes Roadmap has been launched, with the goals of improving care, strengthening prevention and supporting better health outcomes.
One of the fastest-growing long-term health conditions in the country, diabetes affects around 348,000 people and places pressure on communities and the health system, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
The threshold for diagnosing type 2 diabetes will be lowered, which will reclassify around 34,500 Kiwis from prediabetes to diabetes. Earlier intervention looks to reduce long-term complications by getting people care sooner, especially high-risk patients, before complications develop.
Foot and retinal screening programmes will be expanded, community-based support networks will grow, and modern technology will be better harnessed for monitoring, telehealth, and remote patient management. An oversight group will be established to guide implementation.
“That growing impact is being felt most acutely through preventable complications, particularly within our Māori, Pacific, and South Asian communities. This roadmap is about changing that by acting earlier, supporting healthier living, and reducing the avoidable harm diabetes causes,” Brown says.
The coordinated approach comes after a Health New Zealand review last year, which highlighted the scale and financial burden of diabetes. The cost of diabetes-related care reached $2.1 billion last year, and if no changes are made, it is expected to double by 2040.
“This is about system-level change. Diabetes cannot be managed by individual effort alone – it requires coordinated action across the health system and our communities.”
Diabetes NZ chief executive, Heather Verry, welcomed the news. “We are thrilled to see the National Diabetes Roadmap come to fruition, recognising the need for a strategic, long-term approach to address the growing health needs of New Zealanders with diabetes.”
“Our mission is to ensure people with diabetes have equitable access to affordable, quality diabetes care and education, and this roadmap strongly aligns with the work we are already delivering in communities.”
Creating a safe environment for students with diabetes
Schools play a vital role in supporting students living with diabetes, helping them manage their condition safely while learning and participating fully in school life. For children with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, everyday tasks like attending classes, playing sports, or going on school trips can present challenges that require awareness, planning, and support from staff and peers.
Creating a safe environment begins with education and awareness. Teachers, support staff, and peers benefit from understanding the basics of diabetes, recognising symptoms of high or low blood sugar, and knowing how to respond in an emergency. Clear protocols for monitoring, administering insulin, and managing snacks or meals during the school day help ensure consistency and safety.
Collaboration with families and healthcare providers is also essential; community-based support is key to the new Roadmap for good reason. Individual health plans, co-designed with parents and medical teams, ensure that staff know each student’s specific needs and triggers. These plans outline strategies for daily care, activity adjustments, and responses to emergencies, reducing anxiety for both students and staff.
Technology can also support diabetes management in schools. Glucose monitors, apps, and telehealth check-ins allow real-time tracking, giving staff and families confidence that students’ health is being monitored even during school hours.
Equity is important, too. Māori, Pacific, and other communities disproportionately affected by diabetes should be prioritised to ensure all students have equal access to care and support.
Finally, developing a culture of inclusion and understanding is key. Students should feel comfortable managing their condition without stigma or embarrassment. Encouraging open communication, providing staff training, and embedding diabetes awareness into school policies help children thrive academically, socially, and physically.
A safe, supportive school environment enables students with diabetes to participate fully in school life, achieve their potential, and develop lifelong skills for managing their health.
