Dear Health New Zealand,

Under the Official Information Act, I request:

The Ministry's most recent estimate of the total annual health system cost of diet-related illness in New Zealand, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity-related conditions, and malnutrition.

Any analysis of the relationship between food affordability (as distinct from food choices) and diet-related health outcomes — specifically, whether the cost of nutritious food relative to household income affects dietary health outcomes.

Any analysis of the health impacts of the grocery duopoly's pricing structure — specifically, whether excess grocery margins contribute to reduced consumption of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other nutritious food among low-income households.

Any assessment of the potential public health benefits of increased access to affordable, locally produced food — including through community food networks, food cooperatives, or local producer direct sales.

Any cross-agency coordination between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry for Primary Industries regarding the health impacts of food regulation — specifically, whether the compliance costs imposed by the Food Act 2014 on micro-producers have been assessed for their indirect health impacts through reduced food access.

Any cross-agency coordination between the Ministry of Health and Treasury regarding the health system costs attributable to food affordability — specifically, whether health costs are modelled as a consequence of grocery pricing and food access.

I note that Health New Zealand confirmed in writing (OIA response dated December 2025) that it does not model whether economic policy is driving mental health demand and does not coordinate with Treasury or RBNZ on economic determinants of health. I am now establishing whether the same gap exists specifically for food policy: does anyone in government model the health system cost of food being unaffordable, and does anyone assess whether food regulation itself contributes to that unaffordability?
If this analysis does not exist, the bill of health from the food safety regime comes with an uncosted invoice from the health system.
If any information is to be withheld, please specify the grounds under the OIA for each withheld item.

Yours faithfully,

Hayden