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About Growing Up data
About Growing Up in New Zealand data
Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) is a rich longitudinal data resource on child and youth development that provides a detailed picture of what it is like to grow up in Aotearoa today, and how children’s experiences, environments, relationships and circumstances shape their wellbeing over time.
Growing Up in New Zealand data are used by researchers, government agencies and policy analysts to better understand the lives of young people and their whānau, and to inform policy, services and public discussion.
Strengths of the data
Growing Up in New Zealand is a nationally significant data resource. Depending on which data set is used, the strengths can include:
- Longitudinal insight
The study follows the same cohort over time, allowing researchers to examine change, development, transitions and longer-term outcomes from before birth through to adolescence. - Breadth and depth
The data covers a wide range of areas, including health, education, family and whānau life, culture, identity, housing, neighborhoods, social connections, mental wellbeing and life beyond school. - Multiple perspectives
Information has been collected from children and young people, mothers, partners, caregivers, teachers and other sources at different stages of the study. - A contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand focus
The study reflects the experiences of young people and families growing up in New Zealand today, across diverse cultural, social and economic contexts. - Policy and research value
The data supports research, policy development, service design and decision-making across many areas of child, youth and whānau wellbeing.
Growing Up datasets
Growing Up in New Zealand data is held securely by two organisations:
- University of Auckland– comprises the full cohort and all data collected by the study.
- Stats NZ– comprises a sub-cohort who have consented for most of their data to be shared with StatsNZ for linkage in the IDI.
You can learn more about the difference between these two data sets below.
Which data is best for me?
Deciding which dataset is best for you will depend on your research question. If you would like to link the GUiNZ cohort dataset to other routinely collected Government datasets using the National Health Index (NHI) then you will need to apply to use the data held by Stats NZ. If you do not need to link to any routinely collected Government datasets then you should apply to use the data held by the University of Auckland.
The following table provides some of the key attributes of the datasets held by the University of Auckland and Stats NZ.
Data fact sheets
These data fact sheets provide information about the constructs and measures which have been used during Growing Up in New Zealand data collection waves. They also describe how the data can be used to contribute to policy and they offer ideas for research using study data.
Identity and Belonging | Fact sheet | May 2026
Learning and Development | Fact sheet | May 2026
Food security and nutrition | Fact sheet | May 2026
Family Wellbeing | Fact sheet | May 2026
Housing and communities | Fact sheet | May 2026
Mental wellbeing | Fact sheet | May 2026
Material wellbeing | Fact sheet | May 2026
Child health | Fact sheet | May 2026
Stepping into adolescence: Emerging autonomy and independence - Now We Are Twelve | Extended fact sheet | August 2023
