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University Research – Study reveals major diet inequities among New Zealand adolescents – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

A new study has found that many New Zealand adolescents are eating diets high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats, with young people in more vulnerable circumstances most affected.

Published on 18 November in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, the research analysed data from more than 4,000 12-year-olds taking part in the Growing Up in New Zealand study, the country’s largest and most diverse longitudinal study of child development. It provides the most up-to-date national insight into adolescents’ diet quality in more than two decades.

Researchers identified two broad dietary patterns among the young people. One, high in refined foods and foods high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats; the other with higher intakes of core food groups such as fruit, vegetables, protein foods, dairy, and breads and cereals.

The study found significant ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in diet quality.

  • Those from food-insecure households were more likely to follow a dietary pattern high in refined foods and foods high in sugar,  salt and unhealthy fats compared with those from food-secure homes.
  • Adolescents living in rural areas were less likely to follow the dietary pattern high in refined foods and foods high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats than those living in urban areas.
  • Pacific, Māori and Asian young people were more likely to follow the refined, high in sugar, salt and fat dietary pattern when compared to European adolescents.

Professor Clare Wall, Head of the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and one of the study’s authors, said the findings highlight deep inequities in the food environment facing young people.

“Our research shows that access to healthy, affordable food is not equal across Aotearoa. Adolescents living in more vulnerable conditions have fewer opportunities to eat well, and that has lifelong consequences for health.”

Co-author Senior Research Fellow Teresa Gontijo de Castro, also from the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, said the study adds to growing evidence for stronger national action.

“Access to nutritious food shouldn’t depend on where you live or how much you earn. Policy changes are vital to make nutritious food the easy, affordable choice for every young person in New Zealand.”

The researchers are calling for government-led measures to improve the food environment and reduce disparities, including:

• Expanding the Ka Ora, Ka Ako / Healthy School Lunches programme.
• Establishing mandatory restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy foods to children.
• Establishing mandatory rules to limit the availability of unhealthy foods, including the display of the front-of-pack labelling in all packaged foods sold.
• Improving the affordability of healthy foods and fresh produce.

“If we want to improve young people’s health and wellbeing, we must start by improving the food environments they grow up in. Ensuring all young people can access nutritious food is one of the most effective investments we can make in Aotearoa’s future,” said Dr Gontijo de Castro.

Visiting professor at the University of Auckland, Luciana Tomita (Federal University of Sao Paulo-Brazil) was the lead author of this paper. Her visit to New Zealand was funded by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel  (CAPES-Print-Brazil).

Read the full paper here DOI:10.1136/bmjnph-2025-001315  
URL: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjnph-2025-001315
 
 

Notes

  • The study analysed data from 4,021 12-year-olds in the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study.
  • It is the most up-to-date national insight into adolescent diet quality since the 2002 National Children’s Nutrition Survey.
  • Two dietary patterns were identified:
                 – High in sugar, refined foods, salt and unhealthy fats (e.g., sugary drinks, confectionery, fast foods, processed meats).
                 – High in core food groups (fruit, vegetables, protein foods, dairy, breads and cereals).
  • Compared to European young people,  Pacific, Māori and Asian adolescents were more likely to follow the high in sugar, salt and fat dietary pattern.
     Those living in food-insecure households were more likely to have diets high in refined products and foods high in sugar, salt and fat compared with adolescents in food-secure homes.
  •  Adolescents living in rural areas were less likely to follow this less healthy dietary pattern than those in urban areas.

The study calls for equity-focused nutrition policies to ensure all adolescents can access affordable, good food.
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Education – Open Letter – Opposition to undermining the Independence and Core Functions of the Teaching Council

Source: NZ Principals Federation

Open Letter follows:
To: Hon Erica Stanford, Minister of Education
From: Otago Primary Principals’ Association (OPPA)
November 2025
Tēnā koe e te Minita,
As school leaders representing primary principals across the Otago region, the Otago Primary Principals’ Association (OPPA) wishes to express our strong opposition to your decision to strip the Teaching Council of its independence and remove its core professional standard-setting functions.
Our first and most important professional obligation is always to our ākonga – past, present, and future.
The codes and standards that guide our practice have been developed by teachers, for teachers, under the oversight of an independent Teaching Council. That independence is essential to ensuring our profession maintains credibility, integrity, and alignment with the deeply held aspirations of teachers, whānau, and communities across Aotearoa.
Your recent announcement claims to “strengthen” initial teacher education (ITE) and workforce governance. However, the proposed changes instead represent a fundamental erosion of professional autonomy and the ability of teachers and principals to have a voice in determining and maintaining the standards of our profession.
When consulted last year regarding a possible “lift and shift” of the Council’s responsibilities for initial teacher education, the teaching profession – including our association – made it clear that while there is a need to strengthen ITE through greater investment and collaboration, the Teaching Council is the appropriate body to oversee the professional requirements for entry and training.
We also made clear that direct political control of professional programmes and standards would constitute overreach and risk politicising the very framework that underpins trust in the profession.
Transferring these responsibilities to the Ministry of Education removes them from a body that has both professional and democratic accountability – a body jointly governed by elected and appointed members.
No evidence has been presented that the Ministry has the capability or the confidence of the profession to assume this work. The Teaching Council’s independence was deliberately established to protect against this type of political interference and to preserve trust in the profession’s ability to regulate itself responsibly.
Now, without any transparent evaluation of previous changes, evidence-based rationale, or consultation with the 100,000+ teachers and leaders whose registration fees fund the Council, you have announced legislative amendments that effectively silence the profession’s voice.
Under your proposed changes, the Ministry of Education will assume responsibility for all professional standard-setting functions – including teacher education programme approval, professional standards, registration and certification criteria, and the Code of Conduct. The Teaching Council would be left with only registration, quality assurance, and disciplinary functions.
Our Critical Concerns
1. Loss of professional and democratic voice
The proposed legislation severely undermines the profession’s autonomy and ability to self-regulate. Reducing elected representation on the Teaching Council from seven to three, while increasing Ministerial appointments, communicates a clear message of distrust toward the profession. It diminishes teachers’ and principals’ voices in setting the direction for teaching and learning in Aotearoa. The removal of the Council’s legislative responsibility to provide professional leadership, enhance the status of the profession, and promote best practice will affect every teacher and leader – not only those involved in initial teacher education.
2. Replacement of independent oversight with political control
These changes strip the Teaching Council of its independence. When the Ministry of Education – as a government department – both writes and enforces the standards and code of conduct, professional judgement and advocacy for ākonga risk being constrained by political priorities. This represents an unprecedented intrusion into the profession’s self-governance.
3. Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations at risk
The current Teaching Council standards require teachers to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi, promote culturally responsive practice and recognise the unique status of tangata whenua. Transferring standard-setting powers to the Ministry creates the risk that these commitments could be diluted or removed, aligning with recent government statements that suggest a deprioritisation of Te Tiriti in education.
As principals, we see daily the impact that professional independence has on the quality of teaching and learning in our schools. The Teaching Council provides an essential framework for ensuring that teaching remains a respected, evidence-informed, and ethically grounded profession.
We urge you to reconsider these changes. The Teaching Council must remain independent and accountable to the profession it serves, not to the government of the day. Anything less risks undermining public confidence, professional integrity, and the quality of education for all ākonga in Aotearoa.
Ngā mihi nui,
Kim Blackwood – Arthur Street School
Jen Rogers – St. Clair School
Chris McKinley – Elmgrove School
Verity Harlick – Maori Hill School
Vicki Nicolson – Port Chalmers School
Robyn Wood – George Street Normal School
Stephanie Madden – Abbotsford School
Greg Lees – Fairfield School
Nic Phillips – Karitane School
Greg Hurley – Silverstream School
Deidre Senior – Weston School
Gary Marsh – Balaclava School
Carmel Jolly – Mornington School
Heidi Hayward – Dunedin North Intermediate
Jared Holden – Opoho School
Steve Turnbull – Brockville School
Gareth Swete – Sawyers Bay School
On behalf of the Otago Primary Principals’ Association (OPPA)
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PSA and Firefighters Union take urgent legal action to stop reckless FENZ restructure

Source: PSA

The PSA and the NZ Professional Firefighters Union have filed an urgent application with the Employment Relations Authority arguing FENZ has breached its collective agreement by failing to consult before announcing proposed job cuts.
The joint application was filed with the ERA late yesterday and seeks to stop the proposed restructure announced last week which would cut 140 roles.
“These proposed cuts pose a serious threat to public safety at a time of escalating climate-driven emergencies and must be put on hold before lasting damage is done to FENZ's ability to respond to emergencies,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. “We are aiming to stop these dangerous job losses.
“FENZ has clear obligations in the collective agreements to consult both the PSA and NZPFU about proposed changes that impact its members – not just their consequences. FENZ only provided an embargoed copy of its proposal to the PSA the day before announcing it to staff.
“The PSA made several attempts between being advised about the restructure on 29 October and 12 November to be consulted, it’s simply not good enough.”
The NZ Professional Firefighters Union said the cuts would impact fire response. NZPFU National Secretary Wattie Watson said; “The workers who face losing their jobs are all critical to ensuring firefighters access the training and support they need to respond to emergencies properly trained and resourced.
“We are deeply concerned about the impacts on our members that are evident in the proposal but also the unseen implications which we believe may be an attack on the necessary increase in career firefighters and decimating training.
“FENZ is not being transparent on the savings that are far more wide reaching than the immediate savings from job losses. FENZ is also unilaterally deciding to reverse parts of a restructure in 2020 that put community resilience and risk reduction roles in place without first engaging with those that do the work to see if any changes need to be made, and if so why and how.”
The PSA and NZPFU are asking the Employment Relations Authority to determine FENZ has breached the collective agreement, has failed to negotiate in good faith as required by law and issue a compliance order stopping any decisions being implemented to allow proper consultation to take place.
Fleur Fitzsimons said; “Workers at FENZ were given a 265-page consultation document and told to provide feedback within two weeks – that's not genuine consultation, it's a box-ticking exercise.
“We're seeking an urgent hearing because FENZ intends to confirm its decisions on 17 December, just before Christmas, leaving many workers and their families facing a bleak holiday period with their jobs on the line.
“The recent Tongariro wildfire was a stark reminder of the need to have a well resourced fire and emergency response. The Government refused to increase insurance levies last year so the buck stops with them. It must step in, stop the cuts and properly fund critical emergency services.”
ENDS
Background
The proposed restructure would cut more than 10% of non-firefighting staff, disestablish all five regional staff teams and close some regional offices and shave 10% off FENZ's annual budget. Impacted roles include wildfire specialists, desktop and network engineers, project managers, business analysts, learning operations coordinators and team leaders, procurement/sourcing specialists, risk reduction advisors, community readiness and recovery advisors, business service coordinators.
Previous statement
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
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Annual food prices increase 4.7 percent – Selected price indexes: October 2025 – Stats NZ news story and information release


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National population estimates: At 30 September 2025 – Stats NZ information release


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Births and deaths: Year ended September 2025 – Stats NZ information release


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BusinessNZ on Gig economy and more at risk

Source: BusinessNZ

The Supreme Court has today ruled that four rideshare drivers should be classified as employees and not contractors, a decision with far-reaching implications for the economy at large, BusinessNZ says.
Chief Executive Katherine Rich says if this becomes the status quo, then the gig economy could collapse as a result.
“These types of businesses have become a part of our work and leisure, and are founded on a contractor model. If the employment status of platform workers becomes too rigid, then the conveniences we’ve come to enjoy could cease to be.
“Likewise if you are contracting with platforms like rideshare or delivery gigs to supplement your primary income, or working across multiple platforms, then you may be forced to re-evaluate.
“Beyond the gig economy, tradespeople, IT consultants and creatives who value flexibility of contracting could be caught out.”
Rich says BusinessNZ has been long calling for a commonsense approach to the gig economy.
“It’s an issue we’ve raised with the Government before and if it isn’t resolved soon, it has the potential to make not just platform work unviable in New Zealand, but puts contracting employment in general at risk.
“BusinessNZ wants to see decisive action on this as soon as possible and give business and contractors certainty that their arrangements will remain flexible.”
The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central, Business Canterbury and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.
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EMA on Uber decision: Old structures versus new thinking

Source: EMA

Today’s Supreme Court decision on the Uber case effectively jams a new way of thinking about work into old legislative structures, says the EMA (Employers and Manufacturers Association).
“While the decision is restricted to the four Uber drivers for whom the case was brought forward, it effectively demonstrates that current employment law does not deal with platform work,” says the EMA’s Head of Advocacy, Alan McDonald.
“The cases cited in the decision are precedents set under laws that largely predate platform-style working and the Supreme Court has clearly made its ruling based on those precedents.
“But the decision also noted that as well as meeting tests to be regarded as employees, there were also strong arguments supporting the position that the drivers are contractors. 
“That’s the uncertainty around platform-based work arrangements; they are new and different and often provide a gateway into work or a viable alternative form of work for many people.”
McDonald says the proposed Employment Relations Amendment Bill offered some further clarity on defining contractors in a more flexible working environment but that has been delayed until December 24, awaiting the report back from the select committee.
“You would expect further claims to be made by platform-based workers in the interim, if they are dissatisfied with their current employer arrangements.” 
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Minerals Council – Fast-track the right track

Source: New Zealand Minerals Council

The Green Party’s announcement today that it will revoke fast-track mining consents is performative nonsense, says New Zealand Minerals Council chief executive Josie Vidal.
“Today we are lodging our submission on the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill before Parliament. We support a series of sensible technical changes to improve the efficiency of the Fast-track Approvals Act and to further streamline project application processing time,” Vidal says.
“This is the work politicians should rightly be focused on, not putting out media releases that threaten jobs, the New Zealand economy, investment in New Zealand, and indeed our reputation as a place to do business.
“The Greens have produced an anti-mining policy without any consultation with the mining industry. Our mining industry makes a positive contribution to the New Zealand economy and does so in a way that minimises environmental impact. The Green’s policy makes New Zealand look frankly, ridiculous, when worldwide, there is competition for supply of the minerals we need for renewable energy, technology, medicine, and a better, healthier future.
“We need some economic drivers in New Zealand sooner, rather than later, and that is what the projects listed in the Fast-track Approvals Act are. It is disingenuous to suggest that projects that have been approved could suddenly be stopped for no valid legal reason – and certainly no reason based in facts, evidence and science.
“The mining sector supports New Zealand’s high environmental standards and does not seek to undermine this. We consider the Fast-track Approvals Act, as it stands, strikes this balance. Experience to-date shows that it is not the rubber stamp that many critics thought it would be. The panels have been rigorous in their analyses of projects.
“We are not looking for any weakening of existing environmental safeguards and there is a lot of ‘noise’ around this legislation suggesting this is happening, without any evidence.
“Mining is a highly productive industry and we estimate with the projects advancing in New Zealand at the moment, 2000-plus well-paid jobs will be added in regional New Zealand.
“Revoking the Fast-track Approvals Act wouldn’t stop mining. It would impose delays, costs and complexity to mining projects for no substantive gain to sustainable management of the environment.
“We look forward to engaging with the Environment Committee to ensure the Fast-track Approvals Act meets its Purpose, which is: The purpose of this Act is to facilitate the delivery of infrastructure and development projects with significant regional or national benefits.
“We believe that is the appropriate forum for people to have their say,” Vidal says.
New Zealand Minerals Council submission on the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill will be on its website once it is filed today.
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Education – Open Letter to the Minister of Education: Whiria Endorsement of Sector Concerns

Source: NZ Principals Federation

Tēnā koe Minister Stanford,
I am writing on behalf of the Whiria New Plymouth Principals Association and South Taranaki Principals Association to express our serious collective concerns regarding the current speed and nature of educational policy changes. The sheer volume of reform is creating an environment of “change overload” that we believe is unsustainable, risking the quality of education for our students (ākonga) and negatively impacting the well-being of school leaders (tumuaki) and teachers (kaiako).
Our Association fully endorses and stands in alignment with all recent communications issued by the New Zealand Principals' Federation (NZPF) concerning the following critical areas.
1. Curriculum Reform and Implementation Timelines
We have significant concerns about the process and timing for implementing the new curriculum
● Pace of Change: We note that this is the third time in two years the English and Mathematics/Statistics curricula have been changed. Implementing these major updates requires adequate time for schools to explore, understand, and unpack the documents, supported by bespoke Professional Learning and Development (PLD)
  ○ Action Requested: We strongly recommend extending the implementation timeframe for the English and Mathematics/Statistics curricula to at least Term 3,2026.
● Knowledge-Rich Curriculum: The move towards a knowledge-rich curriculum across all other learning areas is a massive undertaking. Successful implementation demands practical, on-the-ground engagement and consultation with key stakeholders – such as principals, leadership teams, and teachers – who possess essential knowledge about what works best for our ākonga.
● Unrealistic Timelines: Due to the significant changes in content, approach, and design, we find the proposed timelines for implementing the other curriculum areas to be unrealistic and unworkable. While we acknowledge the provision of resources, the time available is insufficient.
We urge you to review the current implementation plan to ensure schools can realistically absorb and implement these significant changes effectively. In response to these concerns, the Whiria Principals Association and the South Taranaki Principals Association supports the specific actions outlined by NZPF:
● Non-Engagement: Principals will not engage with the Ministry regarding the October 19th curriculum changes to English and Mathematics/Statistics, including any invitations to regional Te Mahau NZ Curriculum PLD, until our concerns are formally acknowledged and addressed.
● Urgent Review: We call for urgent action to revisit the Mathematics and Statistics Curriculum and extend its implementation to Term 3, 2026.
● Honour Commitments: We will honour existing PLD commitments with Providers for the 2024 draft Mathematics and Statistics, and English curricula for years 0-10.
2. Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
The announced intention to remove Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities from School Boards via amendments to the Education and Training Act is deeply concerning. 
● Firm Stance: Our Association maintains a firm and unwavering commitment to TeTiriti. Our constitution includes Te Tiriti principles, and our school leaders and staff have consistently undertaken mahi (work) to give meaningful effect to it within their unique school contexts.
3. The Teaching Council We view the proposed changes to the Teaching Council's governance and functions as a significant threat to the professional independence of the teaching sector.
● Opposition to Ministerial Control: We oppose any measure that diminishes the role of elected members or shifts the setting of professional standards away from an independent, sector-led body and into the direct control of the Ministry of Education.
Erosion of Trust: This structural change risks eroding the necessary separation between the policy setter and the professional regulator, which we believe will severely damage the crucial trust between the government and the teaching sector. 
Conclusion and Proposed Pathway Forward 
Minister, our principals are not opposed to necessary change. Our position is a professional concern about the current pace, the lack of genuine consultation, and the perceived absence of research-based pedagogy underpinning these sweeping reforms.
We urge you to take immediate and decisive action by:
1. Pausing and Reconsidering: Temporarily halt (pause) the mandated implementation timeline for the new curriculum to allow for genuine, collaborative refinement with the education sector.
2. Committing to Dialogue: Commit to meaningful, solutions-focused dialogue with the NZPF and the broader sector to find an achievable and sustainable path forward.
The principals we represent are ready and willing to assist in constructive consultation to ensure education policy is robust, sustainable, and genuinely leads to improved outcomes for all ākonga.
Nāku noa, nā,
Hamish Hislop and Paul Johnson
Co Presidents
On behalf of the Whiria New Plymouth Principals Association and South Taranaki Principals' Association.