One in five Kiwis suffering from stress - study

The latest Roy Morgan survey also shows that 628,000 - or one in five - New Zealanders over 14 have experienced stress in the past year.

Findings showed that women were more susceptible to stress than men, with more than 22 per cent saying they were stressed, in contrast with about 13 per cent of men.

Stress levels of people living in the South Island were two per cent higher than in the North.

Pre-baby boomers were the least stressed at only 7.9 per cent.

"A wide range of factors can contribute to stress, including work, finance, health and family matters," said Roy Morgan general manager Pip Elliott.