A push for New Zealand to adopt similar policies as other countries, if we want to control rising rates of diabetes

New New Zealand Medical Journal research shows more than half a million Kiwis will be living with the disease by 2044 - with the highest rates amongst Pacific people sitting at one in six women and one in seven men.

Researcher Andrea Teng we need to think about pro equity prevention.

She says people need to be alarmed enough that something is done, adding the country should follow suit of others and implement strategies such as a sugary drinks tax.