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 2022

• In 2022 there were 135 people notified with HIV in New Zealand, of whom 76 were first diagnosed in New Zealand, 55 had previously been diagnosed overseas, and for four people the place of first diagnsosis was unknown. This represents a slight increase from 2021 – mainly due to the increased number first diagnosed overseas.
• 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 64% of all locally-acquired HIV diagnoses in 2022
• The number of MSM who acquired HIV in New Zealand in 2022 (n=34) has increased only slightly from 2021 (n=29) which was the lowest number reported in twenty years and will, in part, have been affected by less transmission due to COVID-19 physical distancing measures and more limited testing access.
• The age range of MSM diagnosed in New Zealand was from 18 to 86 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 whose HIV was acquired through injecting drug use continues to be small in New Zealand with only three people being diagnosed in 2022 who reported acquiring HIV through either injecting drug use or sexual contact.
• Eighteen people were diagnosed with AIDS in 2022 of whom 13 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.