Category Archive

Supermarkets Sign Voluntary Healthy Eating Accord

Geoff SimmonsOctober 18, 2016Food, Health

Yesterday New Zealand’s top supermarket brands (including New World, Pak n Save, Four Square and Countdown) agreed to a voluntary accord to encourage healthy eating. This is a positive first step, and welcome recognition from these large companies that the … Read More

Mayoral candidates asleep at wheel on junk food problem

Gareth MorganOctober 5, 2016Food

We know that our food environment has a massive impact on what we eat. One of the most effective ways of improving diets is to limit access to junk food, or making healthy food choices the easy ones. However despite … Read More

Does Freedom Come in a 600ml Bottle?

Geoff SimmonsSeptember 7, 2016Food, Health

It is great to hear New Zealand Initiative researcher Jenesa Jeram admit that ideology is partly behind their opposition to taxing junk food. As any sugar addict can attest, awareness is always the first step to change. She goes on … Read More

Decriminalising Dope Doable

Geoff SimmonsAugust 15, 2016Health

A new survey out today suggests that a majority of Kiwis, from right across the political spectrum, favour decriminalising cannabis. While this wouldn’t give the same benefits as full legalisation, it would still cut criminal justice costs substantially. Overall this … Read More

How healthy star ratings work – Whiteboard Friday

Gareth MorganJuly 8, 2016Health

This week we’ve seen a debate open up on the Government’s new healthy star ratings. Some argue that they should be ditched because they are endorsing packaged foods that are high in sugar and unhealthy. Others have defended the system as … Read More

Ngaio School Sugar Shake Up

Gareth MorganJune 20, 2016Health

It’s Junk Free June and we are celebrating by talking about all the places that are working to make our diets healthier. Wellington’s Ngaio School is one great example. Recently the Ministry’s of Education and Health recently joined forces to … Read More

Ideology Behind the Case Against Sugar Taxes

Geoff SimmonsApril 29, 2016Health

Last week a corporate funded think tank released a report opposing taxes on junk food, alcohol and cigarettes. No surprises there. The only surprise is that the New Zealand Initiative, an organisation that purports to use economic evidence, argues that … Read More

Industry Sponsored Study on Junk Food Taxes – Junk In, Junk Out

Geoff SimmonsApril 21, 2016Health

The New Zealand Initiative’s new report makes many claims about the evidence on ‘sin taxes’, particularly the current trend towards sugar taxes. Like most economics, and science in general, the answer you get depends on your assumptions and the questions … Read More

Peter Dunne decision win for fluoride and the poor

Jess Berentson-ShawApril 13, 2016Health

Peter Dunne’ policies are often overshadowed by his very fine head of hair; and to be fair Associate Minister for Health’s ‘do’ is really quite striking. On this occasion however, we really should be admiring him for the sensible decision … Read More

When is it ever OK to advertise junk food to kids?

Geoff SimmonsApril 11, 2016Health

Most Kiwis seem to agree – as a matter of principle, there should be no junk food advertising aimed at children. A recent poll found that 72% wanted stronger restrictions on junk food advertising to kids. The question is how … Read More

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