Pacific women in NZ more vulnerable to depression

A new study has found Pacific women in New Zealand face higher rates of depression during pregnancy than any other group.

The research, published in the Journal of Primary Health Care, shows 23 percent of Pacific woman experience prenatal depression.

That's compared with around 14 percent of other women and only around 8 per cent of European women.

The statistics are worse for Pacific women without a family doctor, with around of half experiencing prenatal depression

Lead researcher Lisa Underwood told Mackenzie Smith that's putting more pressure on Pacific communities in New Zealand.