Tçnâ koe,

 

Thank you for your email. 

 

Under the Official Information Act (OIA), agencies are required to respond
to requests for official information as soon as reasonably practicable and
no later than 20 working days after receiving them.

If your request is for data that Health NZ holds, have you checked
[1]Lighthouse first to see if the data you are seeking is already
published?

 

Lighthouse is a searchable catalogue that makes a range of data and
analytics products available to New Zealanders to enable easier, faster
access to insights about health services.

 

You can find further information about how OIA timeframes are calculated,
including the Ombudsman’s OIA calculator, at the link below:
[2]Official information calculators | Ombudsman New Zealand

 

We will provide a response to your request in line with the statutory
timeframes set out in the OIA.

We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.

 

Ngâ mihi,
Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora

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Kia ora Hayden,
 
Thank you for your request of for the following information:
 

"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."

 

 
Your request asks for information which is more closely aligned with the
functions of Ministry of Health (the Ministry). 
For this reason, Health New Zealand has decided to transfer your request
in full under section 14(b)(ii) of the Official Information Act (OIA).
You can expect a response from the Ministry in due course.
 
Under section 28(3) of the OIA you have the right to ask the Ombudsman
to review any decisions made under this request.  The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [1][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602. 
If you have any queries related to this request please contact us.  
 
Ngā mihi,

 

James
Government Services (OIA) 
[2][email address] 
[3]A blue and white sign<br><br>AI-generated content may be incorrect.
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora 

Statement of confidentiality: This email message and any accompanying
attachments may contain information that is IN-CONFIDENCE and subject to
legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, do not read, use,
disseminate, distribute or copy this message or attachments. If you have
received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and
delete this message

References

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2. mailto:[email address]

Kia ora Hayden,

  

Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act), received by the Ministry of Health - Manatû Hauora on 13 March 2026.
You requested:

 

"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."
 

The reference number for your request is H2026080055. We will endeavour to
respond to your request as soon as possible and in any event no later than
14 April 2026 being 20 working days after the day your request was
received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will
notify you of an extension of that timeframe.

 

If you have any queries regarding your request, please feel free to
contact the OIA Services Team on [1][email address]. If any
additional factors come to light which are relevant to your request,
please do not hesitate to contact us so that these can be taken into
account. 

 

Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to
review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [2][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.

 

 

Ngâ mihi, 
 
OIA Services Team

Ministry of Health | Manatû Hauora

 

M[3]inistry of Health information releases

 

****************************************************************************
Statement of confidentiality: This e-mail message and any accompanying
attachments may contain information that is IN-CONFIDENCE and subject to
legal privilege.
If you are not the intended recipient, do not read, use, disseminate,
distribute or copy this message or attachments.
If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
immediately and delete this message.
****************************************************************************

References

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mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
mailto:[email address]
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https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...

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