A group of public health researchers have identified ways to help Maori, Pacific and low income families afford enough nutritious food. They came up with two possibilities:
- the removal of GST on healthy foods
- the use of a smartcard providing discounts on nutritious food.
The researchers found there were strong arguments against removing GST on food. They recommended the smartcard option.
Read more: Press release, Public Health Assoc/ Scoop, 2 Sep 2009
Comprehensive health recommendations published
Public health researchers have made recommendations on how to improve food security and increase physical activity in Maori, Pacific and low income families. These include:
- introducing a Smart Card to subsidise healthy food
- helping people to access their full benefit entitlements
- regulating loan-sharks
- placing greater responsibility on the food industry
- improving urban design
- supporting culturally-specific physical activity programmes.
The Smart Card proposal was presented at the PHA Conference in September.
Read more: Auckland University press release/Scoop, 19 Oct 2009