The young and the elderly, as well as Pacific Island and Maori people, continue to be most at risk of serious illness from flu, despite this year being one of the mildest flu seasons in more than 20 years.
According to the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) the number of people sent to hospital this year for the winter illness was notably lower than last year.
Rates showed for every 100,000 people, around 23 people ended up in hospital for the flu this year. Last year, the rate of hospital admissions was about 34 for every 100,000 people.
Dr Nikki Turner, co-leader of an ESR influenza research project and director of the Immunisation Advisory Centre, said while the drop was encouraging, the most vulnerable people continued to be worst off when it came to fighting the flu.