Fasting blood samples were analysed from adults aged between 35–74 years within the Auckland area; 1006 Mäori, 996 Pacific people (mostly of Samoan, Tongan, Niuean, or Cook Islands origin), and 2021 ‘Others’ (mostly New Zealandborn Europeans), to describe mean serum lipid concentrations and to identify risk factors for an adverse lipid profile. After adjusting for age and gender, Mäori and Pacific people had similar mean serum total and LDL cholesterol levels but lower HDL levels and higher total/HDL cholesterol ratios, compared to Others. Mäori also had higher triglycerides than Others. Positive associations were observed between unfavourable lipid profiles and high BMI and cigarette smoking, and between increased HDL cholesterol and lower total/HDL cholesterol ratios and current alcohol drinking and vigorous leisure time activity. In >90% of all ethnic groups, total cholesterol levels exceeded currently accepted optimal levels (>4mmol/L); two-thirds exceeded 5 mmol/L. The total/HDL cholesterol ratio exceeded the ‘optimal’ threshold of 4.5 in 30% of Others, 40% of Mäori and 44% of Pacific people.
