Photo Source: Irina Novikova
A coalition of New Zealand’s agribusiness, public health, and government sectors is urging the creation of a National Food Strategy. The push comes in response to ongoing food security and health concerns, which have become more pronounced since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The strategy is seen as a way to address challenges such as non-communicable diseases and environmental sustainability while ensuring equitable access to healthy food.
From Economic Growth to Health and Food Security
KPMG’s 2012 vision for strengthening New Zealand’s agribusiness sector laid the foundation for a national food strategy.
What started as an economic growth initiative shifted focus over time, and it became clear that food security and public health needed greater attention in agricultural policy as obesity and chronic diseases increased.
In 2017, the personal health struggles of industry leaders like Ian Proudfoot highlighted the urgent need for a food system that promotes public well-being.
Reflecting on his own health journey, Proudfoot shared, “The role that food plays in shaping our lives was brought into stark reality when I had a series of heart attacks, followed by open heart bypass surgery in September 2017. During my two-week stay in the Cardiac, ICU, and Cardiothoracic wards of Auckland Hospital, I realised that some of the food choices I had made had directly shaped the outcomes I was experiencing.”
His experience only further emphasised the importance of a national food strategy focused on improving public health.
On Food System Fragility and Supply Chain Gaps
The Covid-19 pandemic exposed serious weaknesses in New Zealand’s food security, particularly the reliance on vulnerable supply chains. Over a million people experienced food insecurity during the lockdowns, as supply chains were stretched to breaking point.
Emergency collaborations between food producers, NGOs, and government bodies helped mitigate the crisis, but the situation highlighted the lack of infrastructure to ensure food security during emergencies.
Industry leaders now view the pandemic as a catalyst, advocating for stronger local sourcing, digital logistics, and enhanced community distribution networks to achieve a more resilient food system.
Persistent Health Crises and the Case for Immediate Action
While Covid-19 strained New Zealand’s healthcare system, non-communicable diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity still persist as a public health issue.
Proudfoot has called for food system reform to become a priority for the Government, but it doesn’t seem to be on the agenda at the moment. Earlier this year, the Public Health Advisory Committee, established under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022, published its first report, “Rebalancing our food system.”
The report raised similar concerns, arguing that the current food system, which is primarily export-driven, needs to be restructured to better serve public health. “Our food system requires rebalancing to ensure that alongside meeting economic goals it also supports the health and wellbeing of all New Zealanders,” it stated.
However, a spokesperson for Hon Shane Reti clarified that the Government is not currently acting on the report’s recommendations. “There are more pressing issues in the health sector,” they said.
New Zealand’s diet-related health outcomes rank poorly compared to other OECD countries such as the USA, affecting both the population’s quality of life and its economic productivity.
“Our story around the quality, health, and sustainability of the food we produce, and our expectation that we will receive a premium, can start to look a bit flimsy. The US is not globally recognised for good food, but it is known for the number of people left behind by its health systems. Why would premium consumers, with access to information about the provenance of the food they choose to eat, believe our stories when our own community statistics are telling a different story?”