ACC says injuries in 2025 cost NZ the same as Palmy taking a year off

ACC has revealed injury claims cost New Zealand $8.7 billion in lost productivity last year, with over 20.8 million working days gone. 

The new 'Injuries in New Zealand’ report likens it to the entire population of Nelson or Palmerston North taking a full year off work.

At home, the garden was the most hazardous zone, while rugby and the gym took the cake in sports and recreation. 

There was also a notable growth in claims of 6.3% from people who identify as Asian.

Alarmingly, workplace deaths clocked in two times higher than in Australia, and five times higher than in the UK. In the construction sector, the stat jumped to 4x and 7x, respectively. 

Workplace injuries led to 4.7 million days of weekly compensation in 2025. The working time lost was equivalent to building 2,500 new homes. 

The report explains that some sectors did see claim rates reduce, but the cost of injury continues to rise thanks to longer recovery times and more time spent away from work.

Youth driver fatalities also performed poorly. The risk for males aged between 16 and 19 shot up from 20% more claims than females in 2021, to 43%. 

Road injuries accounted for less than than 2% of injury claims but 11% of total costs, or $792 million, reflecting the severity and complexity of cases. 

At home, falls remain the biggest claim maker, accounting for half. 

Data paints the driveway (2%) and the garage (3%) as the safest places to be, with the most incidents happening in the garden (38%) and the bedroom (18%). 

More than $4 billion was spent on treatment over the year. 

In a statement, Associate Minister for ACC Nicola Grigg said the figures reflect a need for prevention and improving recovery outcomes. 

“ACC cannot shift these outcomes alone. We all have a role to play in reducing injuries, and this will take a collective effort from providers, employers, and all New Zealanders.”

“Too many New Zealanders are kept out of work and everyday life due to injury, and the scale of the impact on our economy and communities is increasingly significant,” she added. 

There are steps to take; both the report and ACC suggest ‘having a hmmm’ and recognising that could go wrong before getting stuck into home, work, or play. 

That could look like warming up before the grand final, improving your driving skills, or encouraging an older family member to keep active. 

There are also injury prevention tips available on the ACC website.