68146 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

68146 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter April to June 2024 to ‘Implement healthy public policies locally and regionally, to reduce harm from alcohol and other drugs, tobacco, unhealthy foods and obesogenic environments for all communities, with a focus on those with high proportions/ numbers of Māori, Pacific and other groups with inequitable outcomes’ under section 2.1 ‘Pae ora Better health in our communities’ within Te Whatu Ora’s Te Pae Tata: Interim New Zealand Health Plan 2022?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that during the April to June 2024 quarter, Health New Zealand: • Continued to work with local and regional councils to advise on policies. • Undertook focused engagements to influence key community partners to improve physical activity and healthy food environments; and to reduce alcohol, tobacco, and vaping-related harm. • Engaged with Lakes Hospital food retail managers to contribute to the food policies at both sites. • Actively participated in food security focus group hui at Whakatāne District Council. • Workshopped with key community organisations to encourage increased collaboration on food environment change. • Collaborated with Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Territorial Local Authorities to implement food advertising policies. • Promoted water-only and healthy nutrition policies in schools and other learning environments through the Healthy Active Learning initiative. • Developed rangatahi vaping presentations and supported rangatahi champions to deliver vapefree presentations at local Rotorua schools alongside Hāpai Te Hauora. • Developed local and regional networks to support advocacy for smoke and vape free environments. • Strengthened relationships with smokefree coalitions. • Undertook compliance activities, including controlled purchase operations targeting on sales to minors of tobacco and vape products, and compliance visits with vape retailers. • Provided support for alcohol harm prevention, host responsibility and supported the implementation of policies aimed at reducing alcohol related harm in workplaces via the WorkWell programme.