Menopause Costs NZ Economy Billions as Employers Overlook Issue

New Zealand research has highlighted a significant issue in group insurance schemes: menopause. According to the Southern Cross Health Insurance and BusinessNZ Workplace Wellness Report 2025, workplace absence is costing the New Zealand economy $4.17 billion a year, with the average number of sick days rising to 6.7, up more than 20% from 5.5 in 2022.

The NZIER report The Silent Transition, commissioned by Global Women, found that three-quarters of women who experienced menopause symptoms reported that those symptoms affected their work. Most felt that symptoms caused them to work 20% to 30% below their best, with nearly one in four saying their ability to work had been cut by at least half.

Only 11% of women had discussed menopause or perimenopause with their manager, indicating a significant communication gap. This lack of awareness means that employers are unlikely to be raising the issue with their broker.