NZ’s birth rate is in crisis. Latest figures from Stats NZ released on August 18 show that our estimated natural population increase is at its lowest since during World War II. But… are we at all surprised?
OPINION
TRIGGER WARNING: Postpartum Anxiety, Suicide
Today, Stats NZ released brand new population figures that showed NZ’s estimated natural population increase is at its lowest since the early 1940s, during World War II.
Yes, that’s right, the last time we felt this little inclined to want to have a baby, there was a WORLD WAR occurring.
Besides the fact that we were at war and the fear and anxiety that was causing (as well as the scarcity of supplies), there was also the hurdle that a lot of men simply weren’t even in the country to procreate. Back then about 194,000 New Zealand men were serving in the armed forces (along with 10,000 women of course!) which meant around 40% of all men aged 18-45 were in the military – 72% of whom, were serving out of the country.
But yes, it seems that’s the last time our birth rate was looking quite so dire.
I’d argue it’s harder than ever to have a child in New Zealand.
In September 2024 Capsule’s Sarah Lang did a deep dive series into the cost of living crisis and looked into the effect it is having on those who are considering having children. She spoke to many Kiwis who were making the difficult decision to have only one child rather than the two or three they wanted, because it was simply not a financial possibility.
Currently in New Zealand a staggering 37% of a couple’s average earnings go on childcare. UNICEF ranks New Zealand’s childcare among the least affordable in the developed world.
And that’s just the daycare side of it.
There’s financial pressures coming from all angles for parents – but also, a lack of support systems.
It seems one of the most dangerous things you can do for your mental health in New Zealand, is have a baby. Currently, our support for women during pregnancy and postpartum who experience mental health challenges is woeful.
Around 12-18% of New Zealand mothers and 10% of fathers will develop depression, anxiety or other mental health issues during the perinatal period. One of the most horrific stats on hand is that the leading cause of maternal death in New Zealand is suicide. Our reported rate is five times higher per capita than that of the UK.
Capsule reader Anna says she and her husband had been planning on having three children – giving their kids the same number of siblings they both had growing up. Two years ago Anna gave birth to their first child, a son – who they now think will be their only child after making the difficult decision to not try for another.
“In my heart I’d still love two or three,” says Anna. “But for so many reasons, we’ll be a one child family.”
Anna experienced terrible PPA (Postpartum Anxiety) with her first, which she says was made all the more traumatic by the lack of support available.
“My GP is great and referred me to Maternal Mental Health (MMH), but it seemed they were too busy to be able to help,” she says. “We felt totally alone and afraid. The medication my doctor gave me helped in the end – but it actually made me feel worse the first few days. My husband had to take time off work, he was so afraid for what might happen to me.”
Anna says that besides factoring the fear she may experience PPA again if she were to have another pregnancy, she and her husband just can’t see a way they could afford another child.
“Ten years ago, if you earned our salaries, you’d be golden,” she says. “Now it’s barely enough to get by. I feel like the choice is between having the life we have now, or adding another child and being stretched beyond our means. It would mean at least one of us would have to add in a part-time job or something – which would mean less hours together as a family. On that balance, sticking with one kid makes much more sense.”
Back in 2023 PM Christopher Luxon gave us all a bit of the ick, when he said we should all be having “more babies”.
“We need people,” he said. “Here is the deal – New Zealand stopped replacing itself in 2016. I encourage all of you to go out there and have more babies if you wish, that would be helpful.”
But the question remains – what are we as a country actually doing to make having “more babies” a real possibility?
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic! Send us a message at hello@capsulenz.com
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