Abstract
Local and regional councils in Aotearoa New Zealand play a vital but sometimes underappreciated role in supporting public health. Their responsibilities extend far beyond traditional water and sewerage infrastructure. Councils directly influence the well-being of communities every day, despite recent central government moves to dilute those mandates.
As voting opens for the 2025 local elections, New Zealanders need to consider the health impacts of council decisions and scrutinise candidates’ policies and track records on public health.