Who we are

The Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHANZ) - Kāhui Hauora Tūmatanui - is an independent national membership association with a commitment to health for all. We provide the opportunity for people who share this commitment to

• Be part of a collective voice on the determinants of health
• Gather, share and learn with others who work in public health
• Influence policy to improve the hauora of all New Zealanders
• Keep up to date with events and issues in the public health sector
• Champion health equity, social justice and evidence informed decision making

Vision

health equity in Aotearoa

Hauora mō te katoa. Oranga mō te ao.

Our vision is - health equity in Aotearoa. Hauora mō te katoa. Oranga mō te ao. 

The PHANZ recognises Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a foundational document, defining respectful relationships between Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti. We are committed to being a Te Tiriti based organisation.

Aims

• Provide strong and independent public health leadership in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
• Champion the health of all people and communities.
• Promote informed public debate on hauora, determinants of health and health services.
• Participate in the creation and evaluation of health policy to improve public health.
• Promote research and share knowledge relevant to the health of all New Zealanders.
• Work with others to facilitate informed action on public health issues.
• Contribute to the strengthening of the public health workforce.
• Grow our membership to be reflective of the populations of Aotearoa.
• Be financially and organisationally resilient and sustainable.

Values

These are the principles and standards by which the PHANZ will operate. The PHANZ will also seek to have these values reflected in the actions of others to achieve our vision of health equity.

Tautoko – Support for those who most need it, to improve their health and wellbeing, so they can flourish.

Manaakitanga – Respect for all. Includes equity of outcomes achieved by addressing historic injustices and contemporary inequities.  

Kotahitanga – A bias for action and solidarity at all levels of society (national and local government, iwi, hapu, local communities, whanua) for the collective good.

Mātauranga – Decisions should be made on the best available evidence, including from te ao Māori and other indigenous knowledge; when that evidence is limited, innovation should be encouraged and evidence should be progressively gathered.

Matatika – Integrity, compassion, tolerance and transparency. 

Wairuatanga - Recognises that all aspects of the Māori world have an ever-present spiritual dimension, which pervades all Māori values.

Rangatiratanga - Leadership in action for the collective good. 

Our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi

The PHA recognises Te Tiriti o Waitangi as Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding document, defining respectful relationships between tangata whenua and tangata tiriti. The PHA is committed to ensuring that Te Tiriti values of respect, partnership, equality, and full participation infuse all our policies, actions and services.

This means that our governance and decision-making must reflect Te Tiriti values - the specific needs of Māori, and kaupapa Māori solutions must be factored into all decision making about public health.

PHANZ Council

The Public Health Association of New Zealand Incorporated (PHANZ) was incorporated on 6th January 1988 and registered as a charitable entity on 30 June 2008 (CC30232).

Membership (join us) is open to any person with a commitment to the aims and values of the Association and who pays an annual subscription. Full time students are free. 

The Executive Council is the governing body and it determines the national strategy and policy for the Public Health Association, in consultation with its members, and oversees its implementation.

The Executive Council of the Association is constituted by nine members, including a President, Treasurer, and seven Executive Councillors.

The Executive Council positions are held for a two-year term and may be held for a second two-year term if re-elected. The maximum term of service in the same capacity is four consecutive years.

Executive Council members

Co-Presidents 

Nari Faiers (Māori seat)

Gail Duncan (General seat)

Treasurer

Dr Nicole Coupe 

Executive Councillors

Dr Ramil Adhikiri (General seat) co-opted

Dr Lifeng Zhou (Asian seat)

Adrian Te Patu (Māori seat)

Marcus Tamaira (Māori seat)

Taumaoe Andrea Meni (Pacific seat) co-opted

Note: There are currently two Māori seat vacancies in the Council.