Window on the quality of health care Te kounga o te tauwhiro hauora
A window on the quality of health care provides a snapshot of the quality of health care in New Zealand
What the Window shows
The Window reports use national datasets and other evidence, based on indicators that have been tested and shown to be reliable to provide insight on the quality and safety of health care in New Zealand.
The data and analysis are intended to support evidence-informed discussion across the health sector about where improvement is needed.
Focus and COVID-19 impacts
Recent Window reports have focused on health care for Māori and Pacific peoples. These reports were co-produced with Māori and Pacific experts, clinicians and consumers.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic the Window has focused on secondary impacts of the pandemic on equity, function and delivery of health care services and how these have been disrupted.
You can access and download our Window reports below. The most recent report is listed first.
Previous Window reports
A window on quality 2024: Turbulence, quality and the future
This report looks at how two decades of patient safety efforts, major health system reform and the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic have reshaped the quality of care. It identifies priority areas for improving quality and safety.
A window on quality 2022: COVID-19 and impacts on our broader health system (Part 2)
This report builds on the 2021 findings and examines how the COVID-19 pandemic affected people’s mental health, the health care workforce, and the experiences of disabled people using health and disability services
Read a window on quality 2022: COVID-19 and impacts on our broader health system (Part 2)
A window on quality 2021: COVID-19 and impacts on our broader health system (Part 1)
This report looks at the wider effects of New Zealand’s COVID‑19 response on how the health system works. It draws on these lessons to help strengthen the system and support more resilient responses in the future.
Read a window on quality 2021: COVID-19 and impacts on our broader health system (Part 1)
Bula Sautu – A window on quality 2021: Pacific health in the year of COVID-19
This report explores the factors that influence health outcomes for Pacific peoples, from maternity to end of life, using a life-course approach.
A window on the quality of Aotearoa New Zealand’s health care 2019: a view on Māori health equity
This report analyses differences in how Māori and non-Māori access and experience health services, and the effects on equity of improvement activities across the system. It examines why the differences exist and identifies opportunities for improvement.
Read A window on the quality of Aotearoa New Zealand's health care 2019
A Window on the quality of New Zealand's health care 2018
The 2018 report looks at where the health system is performing less well and identifies possible weaknesses that may affect future performance.
Read A window on the quality of New Zealand’s health care 2018
A Window on the quality of New Zealand's health care reports 2015 – 2017
The 2015 report brought together available measures to assess health care quality and explored the question, “How good is New Zealand’s health care?”. Updates published in 2016 and 2017 refreshed the measures used.
Read A Window on the quality of New Zealand's health care reports 2015 – 2017
Published: 29 Oct 2021
Modified: 12 May 2026
