AUT Professor of Public Health Dr Grant Schofield has launched a petition calling for major reform of New Zealand’s health system, aiming to collect 100,000 signatures over the next three months.

The petition, directed to the Prime Minister, Minister of Health, and Minister for Sport and Recreation, argues for a nationwide pivot from disease treatment to prevention and lifestyle-based care.

Dr Schofield, who also leads the Human Potential Centre, says the country is heading in the wrong direction.

"Chronic illness, mental health issues, and rising medication use are outpacing solutions. Prevention and lifestyle support should be front and centre."

The petition outlines a bold policy agenda:

• 15% of the health budget for chronic disease prevention
• 5% for mental health services
• Tax measures targeting ultra-processed foods
• GP “social prescribing” for non-drug therapies
• A taskforce to track and report on progress

Backed by stark statistics, the petition highlights that:

• 1 in 3 Kiwi adults are obese
• 5% live with type 2 diabetes
• Only 1 in 10 eat enough vegetables
• 93% of kids don’t meet daily activity targets
• Mental health service use is up 73% in 10 years

The call to action stresses community-based initiatives, greater public accountability, and a stronger focus on the root causes of poor health.

Dr Schofield says, “We’re not just talking about a policy tweak. We need a shift in thinking—away from reactive treatment and towards real prevention.”

If successful, the policy could support more health coaches, boost transparency in policy decisions, and improve outcomes across the board.

For Coasties, it’s a reminder that our national health policies directly affect local lives—from school lunchboxes to how often we see our GP.

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