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The National Public Health Service works with whānau, iwi, and other organisations to create and support healthier communities. Drawing on Mātauranga Māori and data they provide health promotion, prevention, and protection at local, regional, and national levels. The National Public Health Service:

  • monitors environmental health
  • helps prevent the spread of infectious diseases
  • promotes healthy eating and physical activity
  • works with early childhood centres and kōhanga reo to promote safe environments and good health practices
  • provides health services for children
  • reviews licences and public health regulations
  • guides and enforces public health plans, strategies and legislation.

Many of these services include a regulatory component performed by statutory officers.

Statutory Officers

Most statutory officers are designated by the Director-General of Health under the Health Act 1956. These officers – medical officers of health and health protection officers – are accountable to, and subject to direction from, the Director-General. This ensures central oversight of regulatory functions.

The Director-General also appoints statutory officers under a range of other Acts, in particular the:

  • Smoke-free Environments Act 1990
  • Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996.

City and district councils also appoint environmental health officers under the Health Act, who assist councils to perform their environmental health functions under the Act.

More information

Medical officers of health and other health officers - Health Act 1956 - New Zealand Legislation

Health Act 1956 - New Zealand Legislation

Health Promotion

Health promotion is a core function of any high performing public health system. 

The NPHS Health Promotion Directorate draws on International and national best practice models such as Te Pae Māhutonga and the Ottawa Charter.  

We are grounded in core health promotion functions including: 

  • promotion leadership at all levels 

  • strengthening community action 

  • supporting and building personal skills for communities as well as our workforce 

  • influencing public health policy 

  • supporting and creating healthy environments 

  • supporting whānau and community-centred services 

  • gathering insights and evidence. 

 

More about Health Promotion mahi

The Ottawa Charter in the New Zealand context 

In New Zealand, the Ottawa Charter’s principles are integrated into health promotion strategies and frameworks, including: 

  • Te Pae Mahutonga: A model for Māori health promotion that aligns with the Ottawa Charter, focusing on cultural identity, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability. 

  • TUHA-NZ: A Treaty Understanding of Hauora in Aotearoa-New Zealand, which combines the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi with the Ottawa Charter to guide health promotion efforts.

These frameworks ensure that health promotion in New Zealand is culturally appropriate and effective in addressing the unique needs of its diverse population.

The Health Promotion Directorate uses a comprehensive health promotion approach which is the practice of assessing a range of levers that promote behaviours and environments that support wellbeing and healthy lives. It is a key component of wider public health efforts focused on preventing disease, prolonging life, and maintaining health. 

Contact 

You can reach us by emailing Health Promotion.

Local and regional public health services

Northern | Te Tai Tokerau

Northern | Te Tai Tokerau
  • Ngā Tai Ora — Public Health Northland
    Districts covered: Northland
  • Auckland Regional Public Health Service
    Districts covered: Tāmaki Makaurau — Auckland

Midland | Te Manawa Taki

Midland | Te Manawa Taki
  • Waikato Public Health
    Districts covered: Waikato, Ruapehu (Northern part)
  • Toi Te Ora Public Health
    Districts covered: Whakatāne, Tauranga, Rotorua and Taupō
  • Taranaki Public Health
    Districts covered: Taranaki
  • Hauora Tairāwhiti
    Districts covered: Gisborne/Tairāwhiti

Central | Te Ikaroa

Central | Te Ikaroa
  • Hawke’s Bay Public Health
    Districts covered: Hawke’s Bay
  • MidCentral Public Health
    Districts covered: Manawatū, Whanganui, Ruapehu (Southern part)
  • Regional Public Health
    Districts covered: Wellington, Hutt Valley, Wairarapa

South Island | Te Waipounamu

South Island | Te Waipounamu
  • Nelson Marlborough Public Health Service
    Districts covered: Nelson-Marlborough
  • Community and Public Health
    Districts covered: Canterbury, Mid Canterbury, South Canterbury, West Coast and Chatham Islands
  • Public Health South
    Districts covered: Otago, Southland