PSNZ members contribute to landmark KiwiDiab network report on diabetes care for tamariki and rangatahi
For the first time, Aotearoa New Zealand has comprehensive national data on paediatric diabetes care and outcomes, thanks to the KiwiDiab network's inaugural benchmarking audit. Published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, this groundbreaking report presents a detailed snapshot of diabetes care for 1,849 children and adolescents across all 13 regional centres in 2023.
PSNZ is proud to acknowledge the contributions of our Diabetes Reference Group members who were involved in this vital research: Professor Martin de Bock (University of Otago and Health New Zealand, Waitaha Canterbury), Rhian Teaz (Nurse Practitioner, Health New Zealand, Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty), and Gilli Lewis (Nurse Practitioner, Health New Zealand, Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley).
Key Findings
The audit found that most children with type 1 diabetes are not meeting recommended blood glucose targets - only 23% achieved good control.
Children using insulin pumps with continuous glucose monitors had much better results than those using daily injections. However, Māori and Pacific children were about half as likely to have access to these technologies compared to European children. When they did get access to the technology, their blood glucose control was just as good, showing that equal access to devices could eliminate health disparities.
The report also revealed a concerning rise in type 2 diabetes, with nearly 1 in 5 new cases being type 2, mostly affecting Māori and Pacific youth.
Looking Forward
This 2023 data provides a crucial baseline before New Zealand's historic October 2024 policy change, when full funding for diabetes technology became available without restrictive criteria.
Professor Craig Jefferies notes, "This benchmarking report demonstrates the differences in diabetes technology usage and HbA1c levels for children and adolescents in Aotearoa, highlighting the need for ongoing benchmarking."
The KiwiDiab network now captures data from over 95% of paediatric diabetes sites, enabling regular benchmarking to track progress, identify healthcare priorities, monitor policy impact, and work toward equitable outcomes.
About the Research
The study was supported by Canterbury Medical Research Foundation, Dexcom, and Starship Foundation. Full open-access article: Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health (2025): https://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.70216