Time off work doubles, as toll of NZ's poor H&S performance hits $5.4b
Poor health and safety performance in New Zealand cost the country $5.4 billion in 2024, 1.3% of the country’s GDP.
The Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum’s State of a Thriving Nation 2025 report produced by economist Shamubeel Eaqub also outlines that while workplace injuries are decreasing, time off work per injury has risen sharply.
The cost of workplace injuries, fatalities and long-term illness in New Zealand and is now $5.4 billion, up from $5.2 billion the year prior. That cost has also increased by nearly $1 billion in real terms in the past decade.
This is the third annual report from the Forum and this year's report also finds:
- Our workplace death rate is where Australia was 16 years ago, and where the United Kingdom was 40 years ago
- Positively the number of workplace injuries is trending down, but time off work per injury has doubled in a decade.
- For the first time, this report is able to link productivity and lower workplace deaths. Of the 25 OECD countries with higher productivity than New Zealand – 80% have a lower workplace fatality rate.
This year’s report also offers four key lessons for businesses to play their role in improving health, safety and productivity – not just in their own organisations but in their industries, supply chains and for New Zealand as a whole.
Take a look at the key highlights and download the full report below.
You can also read our media release here.
