A shopkeeper reaches for a packet of Marlboro cigarettes in London
A shopkeeper reaches for a packet of Marlboro cigarettes in London in this file photo taken November 28, 2013. Cigarette maker Philip Morris International Inc cut its earnings forecast for 2014 and said it is proving to be a "complex and truly atypical" year for the company. Reuters

An annual health survey in New Zealand has revealed that the health of most Kiwis is improving but major problems remain. The report has provided a collective image of New Zealanders' health based on 48 key indicators.

According to Radio NZ, the annual health survey revealed that a third of young adults in the country are drinking alcohol at hazardous levels. The report also said that nine out of ten adults in New Zealand believe their health is either "good", "very good" or "excellent." About 98 percent of parents think their children are in good health.

Smoking remains an issue among the Maori as rates are still high. The health survey said the Maori has the highest smoking rate at 41 percent. The Health Ministry said the smoking rate has not change significantly since 2006 when 42 percent of Maori were found to be smoking.

Smoking has dropped among adults from the previous 20 percent in 2006 to 42 percent in 2013. The smoking rate among teens aged 15 to 17 years old have dropped in half since 2006. According to the survey, the smoking rates have a strong correlation to socio-economic deprivation. Adults who are living in the most impoverished areas may be three-and-a-half times more likely to be smokers as the adults living in the least deprived areas.

Male New Zealanders were also found to likely have hazardous drinking patterns than women with nearly one-third of Maori adults identified as hazardous drinkers. The report said hazardous drinking for all adults aged 45 to 54 had increased from 12 percent in 2006 to 16 percent in the latest annual survey.

Meanwhile, obesity rates in New Zealand remain high as it was identified as the cause of several health conditions including Type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer including cardiovascular diseases. The survey revealed that obesity rates remain the same from the previous year at 29.9 percent from 30.6 percent.

Obesity rates have peaked among people aged 45-64 years old. One in ten children aged between two to 14 years old were found to be obese.

According to Kate Baddock, chair of the General Practice Council of the Medical Association, said overall findings of the survey showed that the overall health system of New Zealand was "doing well" but still needs improvement in some areas.