On this page
-
…
Primary care
The Public Health Advisory Committee’s 2025/2026 work programme is focused on the future of primary care in Aotearoa New Zealand. Over the coming year, PHAC will explore how the primary care system can evolve to meet the needs of New Zealanders by 2035.
Primary care is essential in providing first contact community-based comprehensive continuous and accessible health care. This work programme aims to identify opportunities to strengthen primary care, to deliver population health outcomes effectively and efficiently, while ensuring improved and faster access for all New Zealanders.
PHAC is engaging with stakeholders and health professionals to understand current challenges and future possibilities. The committee expects to complete its advice on the future of primary health care by July 2026.
Determinants of health
The Public Health Advisory Committee’s focus for 2024/2025 was on the determinants of health (such as income, housing, cultural identity and social cohesion), where PHAC undertook an in-depth exploration of the factors outside the health system that shape health and wellbeing in Aotearoa. ‘Determining our Future’ is the first major report on determinants of health in Aotearoa in over 25 years.
The report examines trends since 2000 in the distribution of the determinants of health and in health outcomes, and why these are unevenly distributed in our society. It looks forward to 2040, and assesses challenges to health equity and wellbeing, including the impacts of commercial interests and of the ‘megatrends’ - the climate crisis, AI and digital technology.
Insights from engagement with rangatahi (youth), community, iwi and public service leaders informed PHAC’s Determining Our Future report, which outlines opportunities for cross-sector action to improve health equity and support long-term planning.
The PHAC reported to the Minister of Health in August 2025. Read the Determining our Future report.
Food environments
The Public Health Advisory Committee’s major topic of focus for 2023 was food environments.
New Zealand’s food environments are having a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders. Unhealthy diet and obesity are major contributors to poor health, inequities and healthy life-years lost in New Zealand.
The Public Health Advisory Committee (PHAC) explored the New Zealand food system, including food regulation and composition. It also explored Māori and other cultural and societal connections to food.
The committee is tasked with identifying innovative solutions that are fit for purpose in New Zealand.
The committee engaged widely as part of its work, particularly with Māori. It also engaged with communities, academics, experts and industry in both the food and health systems to ensure all voices are reflected in its advice.
The PHAC reported to the Minister of Health in May 2024. Read the Rebalancing our food system report.
The Synergia report and The Workshop briefing paper referred to in the PHAC report are available online:
- Synergia report: Stakeholder reflections on the food environment
- Workshop Briefing Paper: How to talk about rebalancing our food ecosystem to make it work for everyone: a narrative briefing paper.
New Zealand Health Strategies
The Public Health Advisory Committee provided advice on the 6 health strategies led by the Ministry of Health . The overarching New Zealand health strategy is supported by 5 population-specific strategies, including:
- Hauora Māori Strategy
- Pacific Health Strategy
- Health of Disabled People Strategy
- Women’s Health Strategy
- Rural Health Strategy.
The strategies set out health service priorities and system improvements over the next 5 to 10 years. The committee provided independent, expert public health advice to support the development of these strategies.
