Abstract
It is often claimed that ‘our food system is broken’, and this is the reason for the high price of foods and inequities of access people currently experience in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). However, the modern food system in NZ is not broken, rather it is working exactly as it has been designed, based on the priorities given to it, namely facilitating trade.
In this Briefing, we discuss the complexities of the modern food system in NZ and the impacts these have on population health.
We highlight international best practice examples of systemic levers that could be adapted for NZ, to support a resilient food system, and why core to that is putting human health ahead of profit.
It’s time to redesign NZ’s food system so that it is sustainable and balances health, environmental, economic, and social goals - designed with an emphasis on food security, nutrition, and equity of access.