Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Dental advocates are pointing to the rising popularity of dental tourism as a “damning reflection” of New Zealand’s current approach to oral healthcare.

“We know that many people are getting extractions or even resorting to DIY dentistry instead of receiving the dental treatments they need, because the cost is just too high,” says Dental for All campaigner, Jasmine Taankink (Ngā Mahanga-a-Tairi). “While dental tourism has provided a more affordable option, it shouldn't be necessary.”

“It is really alarming and a damning reflection of the privatised model of oral healthcare that the best option that some people are left with is to go overseas,” says Dental for All campaigner, Hana Pilkinton-Ching.

In New Zealand, oral healthcare is publicly funded for children up to the age of 18, but not for adults. 43% of adults have unmet need for oral healthcare due to cost, as well as 53% of Māori and 56% of Pasifika adults, according to the 2024/45 NZ Health Survey.

A new policy report released by Dental for All last Thursday, ‘Fixing Oral Healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Costed Policy Plan for Delivering Dental for All’, outlines a detailed proposal to bring oral healthcare for adults into the public healthcare system. This follows recent polling by Talbot Mills, released in March this year, which showed that 83% of people in New Zealand support the move.

The report proposes a network of over 700 community clinics to provide free oral healthcare universally to adults across the country, as well as investing in workforce development and Māori oral health, among other recommendations. The policy has been costed by independent economists. Notably, these costings fall well below the costs of the current model due to the negative impacts of unmet need for oral healthcare on productivity and quality of life.

“Our research shows that we have the resourcing, workforce, and infrastructure needed to deliver universal dental care in Aotearoa. It is unacceptable for politicians to continue to ignore this gap in the public health system, forcing people to take matters into their own hands, when a different approach is workable and would benefit everyone.”

“We should all be able to access the oral healthcare that we need, right here in Aotearoa. It's time to bring the mouth back into the body, and into the public health system,” says Taankink.

An earlier report released by Dental for All in 2025 shares ten human stories of struggle with oral healthcare. One person interviewed for this report, ‘Mac’, delayed necessary dental treatment due to the cost, and waited for a planned trip overseas to get a root canal done. He experienced further pain and complications due to the delay in accessing care. Mac described his experience as “a series of dental woes”. The greatest barrier he faced to accessing the care he needed in New Zealand was the high cost of private dental care. He also described the poor availability of services in his rural home town, and the shame and stigma associated with not being able to afford dental care. Mac explained that he is now determined to look after his oral health and keep his remaining teeth, however shared that “it still feels like only rich people get to have good quality teeth.”

30 April 2026 – The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and the Minister of Finance have agreed changes to the MPC Charter that will provide more transparency and accountability of MPC decision-making.

The new Charter will make it easier for MPC members to communicate their individual views publicly. When a vote takes place, the votes of individual members will now be attributed. At the same time, the Charter reconfirms that the MPC decision-making process should focus on seeking consensus where possible.

RBNZ Governor Anna Breman says the updated Charter enhances transparency of MPC members' views and supports accountability of members.

“These changes make it easier for MPC members to communicate their individual views and brings us in line with some of the most transparent central banks in the world,” Dr Breman says.

The new Charter will make it easier for MPC members to publicly express their views on the economic outlook and monetary policy strategy, and it makes clear that members are encouraged to communicate those views externally. At the same time, rules that ensure equal access to information will be retained.

As well as attributing votes, the MPC intends to attribute material differences of view or judgement within the Committee in the published Record of Meeting. This is expected to occur even when the Committee reaches consensus on the decision.

“Monetary policy transparency is important as it ensures that central banks remain accountable to the public and credible in their decisions. The changes to the Charter further enhance the transparency of monetary policy decision-making at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.” Dr Breman says.

“This is part of a wider effort to increase transparency where the Reserve Bank has already introduced press conferences at Monetary Policy Reviews, moved to eight monetary policy meetings per year, and increased public outreach and external communications.”

There will be a 12-month review of the Charter to ensure that the changes are having a positive impact on the understanding of MPC decision-making, publicising of individual members' views and overall monetary policy transmission.

The updated Charter will be in effect for the May 2026 Monetary Policy Statement.

More information

Link to the new Charter: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=f4dda1dccc&e=f3c68946f8
Recommendations for Minister – Transparency of decision making: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=6817a6a58d&e=f3c68946f8
Proposed amendments to the MPC Charter – Memo, proposed amendments and clean version: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=a47370bd1f&e=f3c68946f8
About the Monetary Policy Committee: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=ae32cf6cff&e=f3c68946f8

29 April 2026 – On Wednesday 29 April, Governor Dr Anna Breman spoke with a range of business owners, young professionals, and local leaders in Hamilton as part of her regional engagement programme.

The discussion took place during a panel hosted by Waikato Young Professionals in partnership with Love the Centre, bringing together voices from across the central city business community.

Titled “Bridging the Gap: Understanding the national economy through a local lens,”  the panel explored the current economic environment and connected global developments to what is happening on the ground in Waikato, and what that means for businesses and individuals.

On the panel, Dr Breman discussed global economic trends, inflation and cost pressures, and how households and businesses are responding in a changing environment. The conversation also highlighted regional insights, including business conditions in Hamilton, emerging opportunities, and the growth in shaping the Waikato economy.

Dr Breman said the current global environment continues to present economic headwinds, but the New Zealand economy can weather these challenges.

“The Middle East conflict has disrupted global supply chains, pushing up prices for oil, fertilisers, and other goods facing shortages. As a small open economy, New Zealand cannot avoid being buffeted by these global forces. The impact will be felt differently across sectors, regions, and households.”

“While these conditions are difficult, monetary policy can and should ensure that a temporary increase in inflation does not turn into enduring inflationary pressures. The best contribution monetary policy can make is to remain focused on ensuring aggregate inflation returns to 2 percent over the medium term.”

Dr Breman noted that recent inflation data reflects these global pressures.

“Annual CPI inflation was 3.1 percent in the March 2026 quarter, above our 1 to 3 percent target range. This was slightly higher than expected at the time of the April monetary policy decision, and somewhat higher than anticipated prior to the Middle East conflict. Much of the increase was driven by fuel prices. Measures of core inflation, which look through this volatility, have remained stable within the target band.”

She added that the Reserve Bank remains focused on balancing inflation control with supporting economic recovery.

“The Monetary Policy Committee's (MPC) decision on 8 April to hold the OCR at 2.25 percent balanced the potential benefits of responding pre-emptively to the risk of higher medium-term inflation against the cost of unnecessarily stifling the economic recovery.

“We remain ready to act decisively and in a timely manner if there are signs that short-term inflation is feeding into more persistent pressures, to ensure inflation settles sustainably at 2 percent over the medium term.”

“The MPC continues to keep a close watch on developments in the Middle East and incoming data, and will continue to assess what this means for New Zealand's inflation outlook.”

The Waikato engagement forms part of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's regional engagement programme, which sees the Governor and senior leaders, including External MPC member Hayley Gourley who joined Dr Breman on this Hamilton engagement, connect directly with communities across the country.

The programme aims to build a better understanding of how the Reserve Bank decisions are affecting people and businesses in different regions, while also providing an opportunity for the Reserve Bank to hear firsthand about local experiences, challenges, and perspectives.
 

More information

Governor engagements for April 2026 – Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=82004840fb&e=f3c68946f8

29 April 2026. New Zealanders are invited to take part in Organic Week 2026, a nationwide series of online events running from 1 to 10 May, focused on healthy food, healthy soil and healthy people.

Led by the Soil & Health Association of New Zealand, this year's programme brings together farmers, health experts and food advocates for a week of webinars, interviews and community discussion.

The online series is designed to make organic knowledge accessible for everyone, from seasoned organic growers to those just starting to explore organic living.

Soil scientist Charles Hyland, chair of Soil & Health, says a key part of this year's Organic Week is helping people understand the connection between soil, food and wellbeing.

“Healthy soil supports everything – from the food we eat to the resilience of our environment. Organic Week gives people the chance to hear directly from those working with nature and within our food systems to learn practical ways to apply that knowledge,” he says.

The programme begins with an online Organic Café on Saturday 2 May at 10am, offering an informal space for people to connect, share ideas and hear what is ahead for the week.

A webinar on Monday 4 May at 7pm will focus on dung beetles, with experienced pastoral farmers including Stephen Newman, founder of Kaipara Regenerative Farming Group and Paul Candy from Future Ready Farms sharing how these insects improve soil fertility, manage animal waste and reduce nutrient run-off.

On Wednesday 6 May at 7.30pm, a session titled “What's behind the label?” will help consumers better understand food labels, ingredients and certification. The speakers are Alison White from the Safe Food Campaign and Sarah Reddington from Low Toxin Rabbit, with facilitation by Organic NZ editor Philippa Jamieson.

Health and wellbeing are also part of the line-up. On Thursday 7 May at 7pm, nutritional therapist Paula Sharp will discuss gut health and how to support the microbiome through food and lifestyle.

The final session on Friday 8 May at 7pm features Hawke's Bay artist and advocate Kate White, offering a fresh perspective on rooks and their role in farming systems, challenging the view of the birds as pests and exploring their place in a functioning ecosystem.

In addition, others have come on board offering in-person events including workshops and film screenings around the country.

The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand, established in 1941, is one of the world's oldest organic organisations and continues to advocate for systems that support long-term environmental and human health.

“Organic Week is about connection – between people, ideas and the natural systems that sustain us. We welcome anyone who wants to be part of that conversation,” says Philippa Jamieson, editor of Organic NZ.

All interviews will be screened online and later made available via the Soil & Health Association's YouTube channel, with webinar recordings released in late May.

About us
The Soil & Health Association is the largest membership organisation supporting organic food and farming in New Zealand and one of the oldest organic organisations in the world, established in 1941. We are committed to advocating our maxim “Healthy soil – healthy food – healthy people, Oranga nuku – oranga kai – oranga tāngata” and to creating an organic New Zealand.

More information

More information on Organic Week 2026 available here: https://soilandhealth.org.nz/civicrm/mailing/url/?u=1724&qid=105145

Full schedule available here, including links to register for events: https://soilandhealth.org.nz/civicrm/mailing/url/?u=1726&qid=105145