Data for: Thriving in a pandemic: determinants of excellent wellbeing among New Zealanders during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown; a cross-sectional survey

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions are associated with adverse psychological impacts but an assessment of positive wellbeing is required to understand the overall impacts of the pandemic. Methods: The NZ Lockdown Psychological Distress Survey measured excellent wellbeing categorised by a WHO-Five Well-being Index (WHO-5) score ≥22. The survey also contained demographic and pre-lockdown questions, subjective and objective lockdown experiences, and questions on alcohol use. The proportion of participants with excellent wellbeing is reported with multivariate analysis examining the relative importance of individual factors associated with excellent wellbeing. Results: Approximately 9% of the overall sample reported excellent wellbeing during the New Zealand lockdown. Excellent wellbeing status was associated with older age, male gender, Māori and Asian ethnicity, and lower levels of education. Excellent wellbeing was negatively associated with smoking, poor physical and mental health, and previous trauma. Conclusion: A substantial minority of New Zealanders reported excellent wellbeing during severe COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Demographic and broader health factors predicted excellent wellbeing status. An understanding of these factors may help to enhance wellbeing during any future lockdowns.