This study used national hospitalisations and mortality datasets between 1998 and 2007 and the National Pharmaceutical data collection from 2001–2007 to describe the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in New Zealand by ethnicity and socioeconomic status. In 2007, Māori had the highest age-standardised prevalence (7.41%) compared to non-Māori, non-Pacific, and non-Indians (4.45%). Māori males and females had the highest age-specific prevalence of CVD across virtually all age groups. People living in most deprived areas had consistently higher age-specific CVD prevalence than people living in less deprived areas. The corresponding age-specific CVD prevalence among the least deprived quintile of Māori and the most deprived quintile of ‘Other’ New Zealanders were almost identical up to 79 years of age. Between ages 40–59 years, the most deprived quintile of Māori had consistently ≥240% higher CVD prevalence than the least deprived quintile of ‘Other’ New Zealanders.
