Paediatric admissions to Auckland Hospital were examined for 1970 to 1980. The number of individual patients admitted for asthma each year increased significantly over the study period. The rate was higher in the 0-4 year age group than in the 5-14 year age group and was higher in Maori and Pacific Islander children than in Europeans. The male to female ratio was 1.4:1 over the period. The readmission rate increased between 1972 and 1980 and was higher for Polynesians than Europeans although there was no difference in the readmission rates of the 0-4 year age group compared to that of the 5-14 year age group. The mean length of hospital stay decreased significantly, but was longer in Polynesians than in Europeans.