The PHAC decides its work programme in consultation with the Minister/Associate Minister of Health.
Food environments
The Public Health Advisory Committee’s (PHAC) major topic of focus for 2023 is 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 PHAC’s work will explore the New Zealand food system, including food regulation and composition. They will also explore Māori and other cultural and societal connections to food.
The PHAC is tasked with identifying innovative solutions that are fit-for-purpose in New Zealand.
The PHAC will engage widely as part of its work, particularly with Māori as well as those communities most impacted by unhealthy food environments in New Zealand.
In addition, the PHAC will engage with communities, academics, experts, and industry in both the food and health systems to ensure all voices are reflected in their advice.
The PHAC will report to the Minister of Health with recommendations in January 2024.
New Zealand Health Strategies
The Public Health Advisory Committee (PHAC) is providing advice on the six health strategies led by Manatū Hauora. The overarching New Zealand health strategy will be supported by five population-specific strategies, including:
- Hauora Māori Strategy
- Pacific Health Strategy
- Health of Disabled People Strategy
- Women’s Health Strategy
- Rural Health Strategy.
The strategies will set out health service priorities and system improvements over the next 5 to 10 years. The PHAC’s is providing independent, expert public health advice to support the development of these strategies across the strategy development process.
PHAC Secretariat
The PHAC Secretariat is run by the Public Health Agency of Manatū Hauora. They provide policy and administrative support to the committee.
To contact the Secretariat, please email [email protected]