Diabetes is a long-term condition where your body cannot keep your blood sugar (glucose) in a healthy range. Over time, high blood sugar can damage your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and feet. The good news is that diabetes can be managed — and a lot of the day-to-day work happens at home, not in a clinic.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 happens when the body's immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. It is usually diagnosed in childhood or young adulthood and is not caused by lifestyle.
- Around 5–10% of people with diabetes in NZ have Type 1.
- Symptoms can develop over weeks: thirst, weight loss, frequent urination, tiredness.
- Treatment is insulin, blood-sugar monitoring and a carbohydrate-aware eating pattern.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 is the most common form. The body still makes insulin but cells become resistant to it, so glucose builds up in the blood. It is more common in Māori, Pacific peoples and South Asian communities.
- Around 90% of New Zealanders with diabetes have Type 2.
- It often develops slowly, sometimes without obvious symptoms for years.
- Some people with early Type 2 can put it into remission with sustained lifestyle change.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that first appears during pregnancy and usually goes away after birth. It is screened for as part of routine NZ antenatal care.
Symptoms to watch for
| Symptom | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Thirsty all the time | Body trying to flush extra glucose out through urine |
| Going to the toilet often, especially at night | Fluid loss caused by high blood sugar |
| Unexplained weight loss | Body breaking down muscle and fat for energy |
| Tired most of the time | Cells unable to use glucose properly |
| Cuts and grazes that heal slowly | High blood sugar slows healing and immune response |
| Blurry vision | Glucose affecting fluid balance in the lens of the eye |
How insulin works
When you eat, carbohydrates break down into glucose, which enters the bloodstream. The pancreas releases insulin — a hormone that acts like a key, letting glucose move from the blood into your cells. In Type 1 the keys are missing; in Type 2 the locks stop responding.
Talk to a real person
If anything on this page is worrying you, Diabetes NZ runs a free helpline and Healthline is available 24/7.
Visit NZ Resources →