Autumn is here and we're making a splash.
The transition from summer to autumn has begun with a shocking run of magnificent weather in Wellington. Luckily we have our work to keep us from losing our heads. This week we've sent off our submission on the proposal to ban plastic microbeads and we've commented on the Royal Society of NZ's Expert Advice Paper on Antimicrobial Resistance. There's a lot in the news about this issue at the moment with the WHO coming out this week with a list of bacteria for which new antibiotics are urgently needed. We're also working on a submission on the Oranga Tamariki Legislation Bill.
This week, continuing our aquatic focus, our theme is Seaweek – Kaupapa Moana 2017 which takes place from Saturday 25 February to Sunday 5 March 2017. The theme is Toiora te Moana – Toiora te Tangata – Healthy Seas, Healthy People. Seaweek is New Zealand’s annual national week about the sea and its hosted by the NZ Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE). See the events section below for more details.
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In this week's PolicySpot:
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The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.
Jacques Cousteau
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Wellington Branch
The Wellington Branch is powered by a dynamic group of about ten women who meet on the second Tuesday of every month. They share ideas and information, and use innovative methods to promote public health values and evidence. For example the DHB Candidate Scorecard they produced for last year’s local body elections got national attention, and helped voters figure out who to vote for. For the general election this year they plan to hold a debate between the health spokespeople of all the major parties, and will be putting a call out to PHA members nationwide for questions to put to the MPs. Stay tuned for further details…
The officeholders of the Wellington Branch are Jude Ball (Chair), Prudence Stone (Secretary), Fran McGrath (Treasurer), Rowan Manhire-Heath (Comms Officer), and Marilyn Head (Policy Officer).
The photo above is from our 2016 AGM, where we thanked outgoing chairperson, Maria Cotter, for the outstanding contribution she made in her three years in the role.
if you're interested in joining the team please email jude_ball@yahoo.com.au
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Policy Statements in Development 2017
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Our policy statements form the foundation of our policy work and our communication on public health issues. We need evidence-based statements which reflect our values and signal how we and others can take action to improve public health in NZ. We are delighted to have such a wide range of statements in development this year, they are listed below.
- Preventing gambling harm
- Alcohol
- Infectious disease
- Housing and health
- International taxation as a determinant of health
- Oral Health
- Equally Well
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Last but not least on the list above is Equally Well. This is a collaborative movement dedicated to improving the equity of physical health outcomes of people who experience mental health and addiction problems. Last year they won the top prize in the Physical Health and/or Primary Care category at the TheMHS Learning Network Awards. Equally Well wants to develop a policy statement to support its work and if you are interested in becoming involved in this or any of the other policy statements listed below please get in touch by emailing libby@pha.org.nz.
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As we said last week our special issue of The LENS this year will be on water and public health. This is a major public health issue and one people feel passionate about. There has been a lot of attention focused on the issue recently (from concern over the safety of drinking water to the swimmability of our rivers) and we think it is worth exploring in greater depth. You can read here an op-ed on what the government's new water quality guidelines mean.
Do you work in an area where public health and water intersect? Are you involved in research about how water affects public health? We want to get a range of contributions from people working in the different areas where water affects our health, from urban water bodies to water infrastructure to Māori attitudes to water. Please email libby@pha.org.nz if you'd like to know more or you are interested in contributing.
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Consultations and Submissions
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Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill
Public submissions are now being invited on this bill. This omnibus bill covers a wide range of legislative reforms to support the new operating model for the Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki, and will establish the statutory framework required to create a more child-centred operating model to meet the needs of vulnerable children and young persons. The closing date for submissions has been extended to Friday, 3 March 2017. We are doing a submission on this bill. You can find more details on the New Zealand Parliament webpage.
Urban Development Authorities
The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is currently undertaking public consultation on the content and extent of this proposed legislation. To deliver more dynamic and successful cities that better meet the needs for housing, employment and amenity, the Government is proposing that major urban development projects are able to be built more quickly. New legislation is being considered that will enable local and central government to:
- empower nationally or locally significant urban development projects to access more enabling development powers and land use rules; and
- establish new urban development authorities to support these projects where required.
Submissions close on Friday, 19 May 2017. You can find more details on the MBIE webpage.
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Cawthron Institute Seaweek Science Stories 2017
Toiora te Moana–Toiora te Tangata // Healthy Seas–Healthy People
Cawthron Institute invites you to think about our precious oceans by coming along to hear six scientists share their stories, research and passion for the sea. You will hear from speakers with a variety of expertise – from genetics to algal biotechnology – all related to the sea and its challenges. Each speaker will offer a short, snappy, story that is accompanied by photos (similar to Pecha Kucha). There will be a bar available in the Granary.
Date: Thursday 2 March
Time: 7 pm
Venue: The Granary, Founders Park, Nelson
Bookings essential through Eventbrite
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NZAEE Seaweek – Kaupapa Moana!
Seaweek is New Zealand’s annual national week about the sea. Hosted by the NZ Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE), Seaweek focuses on learning from the sea. It’s about exciting and inspiring all New Zealanders to renew their connections with the sea! Not just for children or those involved with formal education – it’s a time for all of us to get to know our ocean, its habitats, characteristics and inhabitants better.
Subscribe to our Seaweek mailing list and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the news.
Seaweek comprises a wide range of events, activities, opportunities, competitions and calls to action. To see what is happening in your region for Seaweek 2017 – check out our What’s On pages. Events will be uploaded as we receive them.
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Panel discussion: Water – a global issue affecting New Zealand
Lincoln University invites you to join well known Radio personality Kim Hill and panellists in a stimulating discussion.
WATER – for New Zealand, for the world…what has to change to ensure our future? Is New Zealand using its water responsibly?
Panellists include:
Bryan Jenkins: a well-known water expert previously CEO of Ecan and Department of Environmental Protection in Western Australia
Ken Hughey: Lincoln University/DOC
Peter Townsend: CEO, Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce
Brent Clothier: Plant and Food Research
Date: Thursday 23 March
Time: 7:30 pm,
Venue: Lincoln University, Stewart Building, Lecture Theatre One
For further information go to: http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/kimhillevent or to kimhillpresents-water.eventbrite.co.nz to register your interest
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Royal Society of New Zealand Branch event: The problem of plastic rubbish in the ocean
The amount of plastic rubbish in the ocean has been a shock to everyone. In this talk Jenny Pollock, President of the Nelson Science Society, will outline the extent of the problem and why so much plastic is ending up in remote parts of the ocean, well away from land. Pollock will also show how this problem is affecting wildlife, not only birds and marine creatures but ultimately humans as well.
But not only large pieces of plastic are affecting our oceans. Tiny plastic beads from cosmetics plus microfibres from our clothes are also polluting the ocean. Microbeads are being eaten by some zooplankton and enter the food chain that way. Microfibres are affecting worms in sediments and are even being found in fish flesh.
Methods of cleaning plastic pollution are being developed, and some of these will also be looked at.
Date: Tuesday 11 April
Time: 7.30pm – 9pm
Venue: NMIT Room A211, Nelson
Organiser: Nelson Science Society
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Would you like to get involved in local or national policy, but don’t know where to start?
Have you suddenly found yourself needing to write, contribute to or present a policy or legislative submission?
Our popular Influencing policy and making submissions (aka ‘policy for non-policy people’) workshop can give you a toolkit to help you through these and other challenges.
It’s a participative and practical workshop, which introduces a healthy public policy approach that can be applied in many settings. You’re encouraged to bring public health issues you’re working on or concerned about to workshop with others.
We’re looking for providers or organisations interested in partnering with the Public Health Association to host a workshop in 2017. If you’re interested and would like more information, contact Keriata Stuart on 04 472 3060 or at keriata@pha.org.nz
More news: for those who’ve already been through the workshop, or are actively involved in policy but would like to grow their skills by working with others, we’re planning to introduce an intensive ‘policy bootcamp’ workshop later in 2017. Let us know if you might like to take the next step!
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Community Research webinars are free, online events where community sector professionals share expertise about what’s working.
This 30 minute event will take place at your desk. Places are free of charge.
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Activity and Nutrition Aotearoa (ANA) is pleased to host this conference with support from the Ministry of Health.
30th - 31st May, 2017 at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
This is the only national conference to bring together both nutrition and physical activity practitioners. By working together we can inspire change that can transform where we live, work, learn and grow into environments that support healthy eating and physical activity. Find out more on the ANA conference webpage.
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