The report also highlights the 30-year-old campaign to encourage eating at least five fruits and vegetables every day.
Recent data from the 2022-2023 NZ Health Survey suggests only 6.7 percent of adults achieve that, and only 4.9 percent of children do.
The new report also demands changes to things such as: “Junk food marketing to kids, dealing with food insecurity, supporting the free school lunch program,” said Boyd Swinburn, co-chair of Health Coalition Aotearoa.
“A lot of things that are really quite detailed and specific and actionable,” Swinburn added.
And the cost-of-living crisis isn’t only mentioned in relation to the school lunch program – the report says the high cost of fruit and veges is pushing people to buy less-healthy options.
In a statement to Newshub, Health Minister Shane Reti outlined his thoughts.
“Pursuing the recommendations in this report is not a priority for the Government. There are far more pressing issues in the health sector that need addressing at the moment,” he said.
It’s a concern for Swinburn and colleagues who are desperate for action.
“The biggest risk is that the Government or Dr Reti will see this, see that’s it too big, and put it on the shelf and not lead it as they’re calling for,” Swinburn told Newshub.