Obesity is high on the agenda of government health priorities, and is a major health issue for iwi Māori. The effects of obesity cannot be underestimated. It is increasing at alarming rates, in Māori adults and children and the health outcomes are evident: higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and respiratory disease. It is a major contributor to the early morbidity of our people.

The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is an incorporated society that represents around 70 not for profit organisations. It aims to reduce the prevalence of obesity in New Zealand by advocating for environmental and policy changes that make it easier for people to maintain a healthy weight. The Coalition recognises that obesity is a priority health issue for Maori and has worked alongside Te Hotu Manawa Māori to develop a Māori Strategic Advocacy Plan. The plan provides a range of strategies and actions to be carried out by the Coalition and its members. Te Hotu Manawa Māori developed the plan after four consultation hui with stakeholders around the country. Out of four priority areas that stakeholders identified, two were selected as the focus of the plan. They were:

• Food security
• Workforce development

Within these two priority areas the plan aims to facilitate combined advocacy action at a local, regional and national level. OAC and Te Hotu Manawa Māori recognise that solutions that emerge from local situations and expertise work best, so the plan is designed to guide regional and local activity, rather than providing too much detail at this level.

Priority areas

Priority One: Food Security click on the link to open the Food Security Pdf.

This priority is about the right to access food in sufficient quantity and of good quality to maintain good health. Food Security is concerned with the issues of accessibility and affordability of healthy food.

Priority Two: Workforce Development

This priority area is focused on increasing the ability of the Māori workforce to address obesity within the Māori population. This will involve increasing the number and types of positions in the field, as well as maintaining and supporting the workforce through training, and professional support. The Coalition will seek additional funding to carry out Māori-specific advocacy.

Advocacy Strategies

Advocacy is one of the three major strategies for Health Promotion. It is concerned with using tools and activities that draw attention to the issue, gain support for it, build consensus about it, and provide arguments that will sway decision makers and public opinion. While groups have independently advocated around obesity prevention, concerted and combined advocacy has only been possible with the establishment of the Coalition. The Maori Strategic Advocacy Plan is designed to co-ordinate advocacy around the issue for Māori. 

Click on the titles to view the documents
"Still Missing Out" 
"Hard to swallow - food bank use in New Zealand"
"Measurement of household food security in USA and other industrialised countries"
"A review of the literature describing the link between poverty, food insecurity and obesity with specific reference to Australia"