About the Public Health Agency

Establishment and role

The Public Health Agency – Te Pou Hauora Tūmatanui was established on 1 July 2022 in an amendment to the Health Act 1956.

The Agency is part of the Ministry of Health, within the Public Health Agency and Mental Health Group, and leads the Ministry’s work on public health.

This means we:

• support the Government to set clear priorities for public health and develop policy options to help achieve them
• collect evidence and insights to understand what is influencing the health of New Zealanders and how to achieve the best health outcomes
• make sure public health regulations and services are proportionate, transparent, safe and help protect New Zealanders
• monitor the performance of public health services to make sure they are effective in improving health outcomes for New Zealanders.

Under the Act, the Agency also has several specific legal responsibilities. These include: 

• provide systems leadership across the public health sector
• advise the Director-General on matters relating to public health, including personal health matters relating to public health and regulatory and strategic matters relating to public health
• institute a programme of regular consultation with such members of the public, persons involved in the provision of personal health services and public health services.

Pou Whirinaki

Pou Whirinaki is the Public Health Agency’s founding document. 

Leadership

Deputy Director-General, Public Health and Mental Health

• Dr Andrew Old

Director of Public Health

• Dr Corina Grey