Over 550,000 New Zealanders live with kidney disease, and half are unaware of it. This alarming figure signals an urgent need for greater awareness.

New Zealand is facing a kidney health crisis, with more than half a million Kiwis living with kidney conditions.

Shockingly, nearly half of those affected don’t know it, highlighting a major gap in awareness and early detection.

Despite the fact that one in ten New Zealanders is living with kidney disease, it remains largely overlooked, with little public discussion on the devastating impact it has on the lives of those affected.

“This is a health issue we can no longer afford to ignore. The rising number of Kiwis living with kidney disease highlights an urgent need for widespread awareness campaigns, early screening, and better access to healthcare. Kidney disease doesn’t discriminate – it affects people across all demographics, and we must act now to stop it from becoming an even bigger crisis,” Kath Eastwood, CEO of the Kidney Society, said.

Kidney disease is often difficult to detect in its early stages, with many people experiencing no obvious symptoms until it has advanced to more severe stages.

By then, the condition can lead to kidney failure, requiring life-sustaining treatments such as dialysis or even a kidney transplant. Early intervention is key to managing the disease and preventing it from progressing.

Common risk factors for kidney disease include high blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of the condition, and being over the age of 50. Many people with these risk factors may not realise they are at high risk for kidney damage, and without early testing, the disease can silently worsen.

“We know there are many missed opportunities for early detection of kidney damage and that early detection is key to managing kidney disease and preventing it from advancing,” Eastwood said.

“We can’t afford to wait any longer to address this growing health crisis. Kidney disease is a silent killer, and it’s time we focus on accurate testing, early detection, and proper policy recognition of chronic kidney disease.”

New Zealand must act now to address this growing crisis and ensure that no one is left behind. Early intervention, widespread awareness, and better healthcare access are crucial to safeguarding the nation’s kidney health.