Introduction

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus which acts by depleting the body’s normal immune defence mechanism. Without treatment, HIV causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Most people get HIV sexually through anal or vaginal sex, or by injecting drug use, or mother-to-child transmission.

Summary of HIV and AIDS notified in 2023

• In 2023 there were 97 people diagnosed with HIV in New Zealand (82 men, 14 women, and one transgender woman).
• Of the 97 diagnosed, 54 were reported to have acquired HIV in New Zealand.
• Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be the most affected by HIV transmission in New Zealand, accounting for 80% of all locally-acquired HIV diagnoses in 2023
• The number of MSM who acquired HIV in New Zealand in 2023 (n=43) increased from the previous two years (2022 n=34, and 2021 n=29) but continues to be lower than the preceding years from 2016 to 2020 when there was an annual average of 68 MSM diagnosed with HIV. The overall trend in decline therefore continues.
• The age range of MSM diagnosed in New Zealand was from 19 to 75 years, and included MSM of all ethnicities.
• The number of heterosexual men and women diagnosed with locally acquired HIV continues to remain stable with an average of 12 people per year over the past 10 years. The number of heterosexual people who acquired HIV overseas has declined.
• The number of people who inject drugs who were diagnosed with HIV continues to be small with only three people being diagnosed in New Zealand in 2023.
• In 2023, there were also 123 people (102 men and 21 women) notified with HIV who had been first diagnosed overseas. This was a significant increase from earlier years.
• Fourteen people were diagnosed with AIDS in 2023 of whom 11 had their AIDS diagnosis within three months of being diagnosed with HIV and were therefore considered a late diagnosis.

You can explore the latest HIV and AIDS data from New Zealand in this data dashboard. Some explanations to help you navigate the dashboard:

HIV notifications: Includes people first diagnosed in New Zealand since 1985, and since 2002, people who were first diagnosed overseas and having a viral load test for HIV monitoring in New Zealand.

NZ acquired: NZ acquired: Includes only people first diagnosed with HIV in New Zealand AND reported to have acquired HIV in New Zealand.

Age: is recorded at the time of diagnosis. HIV infection may have occurred at a younger age than when it was diagnosed.

Ethnicity: is self-reported by the patient to the clinician using the national Statistics New Zealand ethnicity question. Multiple categories can be recorded and prioritised, for example, European and Māori is recorded as Māori.

Disaggregated data by age, gender, ethnicity, mode of acquisition, and place of acquisition are available from 1996.