Diabetes Action Month

November is Diabetes Action Month, an annual month of action for New Zealanders living with diabetes.

Diabetes Action Month 2026: End Diabetes Stigma

This Diabetes Action Month, we’re calling for collective action to end diabetes stigma, and make a meaningful change to improve the lives of more than 365,000 New Zealanders living with diabetes. Because no one should experience judgement or blame because of a health condition they didn’t choose.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, 80% of people living with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) have experienced diabetes stigma, including feeling blamed or judged, and up to 53% have been treated differently.¹

Negative attitudes and assumptions can affect mental and physical health, create barriers to care and support, and make living well with diabetes harder. That's why we need to change the way we talk about diabetes, and end diabetes stigma.

Together, we can build a more supportive and respectful Aotearoa, where everyone affected by diabetes is met with compassion and support in every aspect of their lives.

¹Holmes-Truscott E, Litterbach E, Søholm U, et al. Experiences of diabetes stigma among adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: A multi-study, multi-country, secondary analysis. Diabet Med. 2025; 42:e70082. doi:10.1111/dme.70082

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Diabetes NZ

Diabetes Action Month is run by Diabetes New Zealand, whose mission is to lead, champion and advocate for change to reduce the incidence of diabetes, improved diabetes healthcare, and empower those affected by or at risk of diabetes to lead healthy, active lives.

Diabetes Action Month is funded by Pub Charity Limited.

Diabetes Action Month is Diabetes New Zealand’s annual campaign that encourages action, education, awareness and advocacy for New Zealanders with all types of diabetes and their whānau, as well as those at risk of diabetes.

Diabetes Action Month has run each November since 2015, each year with a different theme.

Each campaign has had a different focus and brought to light some of the many issues and challenges faced by people with diabetes in New Zealand.

Past campaigns