Māori leadership highlights whānau wellbeing at health prevention forum

On Tuesday, 25 August 2026, Māori political leaders joined a cross-party discussion in Wellington to advocate for health prevention strategies that prioritise whānau wellbeing. The event, organised by Health Coalition Aotearoa, brought together representatives from across the political spectrum to address pressing issues including tobacco control and nutrition. Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Green MP Hūhana Lyndon were among the panel members offering pitches for improved health outcomes. During the discussion on unhealthy foods, Ngarewa-Packer shifted the focus toward the economic realities facing Māori communities. She noted that while the party is not opposed to regulation, the primary focus remains on ensuring whānau have better options for and access to affordable, healthy kai. Regarding tobacco control, Lyndon noted that the Green Party had heard a strong case from the health sector for denicotinisation. However, she expressed the importance of finding broad agreement across the political landscape to ensure effective policies can be implemented immediately. Both Māori representatives contributed to a left-bloc consensus supporting a licensing scheme for tobacco and vaping products to ensure stronger oversight. The panel, which also included Labour’s Ayesha Verrall and Act’s Todd Stephenson, highlighted a shared goal of improving health outcomes despite differing views on the specific mechanisms of delivery. For Māori leadership on the panel, the conversation remained anchored in practical solutions that support the health and economic stability of Māori families, ensuring that prevention measures are both accessible and effective for the community.