The Briefing

The New Zealand Government has set up a Tax Working Group to consider reforms of the tax system. In this blog we briefly discuss some of the opportunities for tax reform that will potentially improve health and lower health costs, reduce health inequalities and enhance environmental sustainability.

From 1 April 2018, the UK is putting in place a type of sugary drinks tax – actually a “soft drinks industry levy”. This blog reviews how they are doing it, early signs of its success, and ponders its relevance for NZ.

There is now a body of New Zealand specific modelling work that suggests the programmes to prevent falls in older people are cost-effective and a relatively good investment in health.

Our just published modelling study on a home safety and modification programme to prevent falls in older people suggests this intervention could produce considerable health gain and be cost-effective

The Government has an action plan to tackle childhood obesity, but it lacks a tax on sugary drinks – a strategy for which there is good evidence. We look at a new Treasury Report on soft drink tax price elasticities that has just emerged.