Sustainable New Zealand Kai

The foods we eat are vitally important to our health. The way they are produced has a major impact on the earth’s resources and climate change.  Population-wide changes are needed if we are to achieve healthy and nutritious diets sourced from sustainable food systems.

This project aims to identify: an optimal diet that meets the nutritional needs of Aotearoa New Zealand’s population while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, at minimal additional cost to individuals; and a version of this diet that is more culturally acceptable to Māori. It will also identify a range of feasible and acceptable policies to help New Zealanders move towards these theoretical diets.

The project team will use epidemiological models to predict the effect of an optimal diet on the health of New Zealanders, health inequities and the environment.

A review of international literature and consultation with members of the public and policymakers will shape the selection of several policy interventions which could create a shift towards an optimal diet.

The impact of these interventions will be modelled to inform policymakers and practitioners about how best to improve population diets to maximise health and environmental co-benefits.