More men than women died in the 1918 influenza pandemic in New Zealand. Most countries had more even rates and a slight preponderance of female deaths. Males in the 30–34 age group were the worst affected and at the time people noticed that strong and healthy men rather than 'chesty' or 'weedy' types were more susceptible. Possible explanations include that healthy males did not catch the first mild wave of the flu so were more vulnerable when the second, more deadly, wave arrived; and that men went out to work and were more exposed to the virus than women, who were more likely (and more able) to stay at home. If men did bring the virus home, women and children could stay home and recover, while men may have had to continue working.