New Zealand’s latest injury statistics indicate a downward trend in work-related injury claims for 2024, according to data released by Stats NZ.
The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) accepted 209,400 claims related to workplace injuries, representing a decrease of 16,600 compared to the previous year.
The incidence rate dropped to 80 claims per 1,000 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs), the lowest since records began in 2002.
Industries such as agriculture, forestry, fishing, arts and recreation services, and manufacturing reported the highest rates of work-related injury claims.
In terms of injury location, the abdomen – including the pelvis, kidney, and lower back or spine – was the most frequently affected area, with 39,700 claims recorded.
Trades workers accounted for the largest number of claims by occupation, totalling 34,400 in 2024. Workers aged 75 and older experienced the highest incidence rate by age group, at 131 claims per 1,000 FTEs.
Regionally, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay reported the highest incidence rate, with 120 claims per 1,000 FTEs.
The ACC’s annual report, “Injuries in New Zealand, Insights from 2024,” provides further context on the broader impact of injuries across the country.
In 2024, ACC accepted about 2 million injury claims from 1.6 million individuals. The total expenditure for recovery-related services reached nearly $7 billion, including $4.4 billion for rehabilitation and $2.5 billion for weekly compensation.
Over the past two decades, the financial impact of injury support has grown substantially. In 2004, injury-related costs were just under $1 billion. By 2024, these expenses had increased more than fourfold, reflecting both population growth and more complex recovery needs.
James Whitaker, ACC’s injury prevention leader, commented on the allocation of resources.
“To put it simply, more people are getting injured, and it’s taking longer and costing more for them to recover,” he said.
ACC’s analysis divides injury claims into four main categories: domestic and community, physical activity, workplace, and road use.
Domestic and community injuries comprised roughly two-thirds of all claims and accounted for more than half of total costs. The leading causes were slips, trips, and falls (42%), followed by lifting and manual handling (16%).
Workplace injuries made up about 10% of total claims but were responsible for 22% of the associated costs. Sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, construction, forestry, and fishing were disproportionately represented in both claim numbers and costs. Workers who suffered injuries in 2024 collectively missed 5.5 million workdays.
Road-related injuries resulted in around 35,000 claims, with an average cost per claim of $14,500 – significantly higher than other categories. Most incidents involved cars and motorcycles, with pedestrian injuries making up a smaller portion.
Recreational and sports injuries accounted for 23% of all claims and a similar share of total costs. Notably, injuries related to fitness activities now surpass those from traditional contact sports, with gym-related incidents becoming the most prevalent.
