Media release: Health vs profit: The growing influence of big business on NZ lawmaking

A recent World Health Organization report on social determinants of health equity warns that commercial entities increasingly shape public policy, often harming health, especially for vulnerable populations. So, how does NZ measure up?

In the latest Public Health Communication Centre Briefing, public health experts examined four areas—alcohol, infant formula, transport, and tobacco—where recent government decisions have favoured industry over health.

• Despite strong evidence and public support for reducing alcohol harms, lobbying by the alcohol industry has stymied progress on reforms like stricter advertising and availability controls.
• In 2024, the Government withdrew from new Australia/NZ standards designed to curb infant formula marketing, following heavy lobbying by multinational dairy companies.
• Recent transport policies promote car-centric development and delay emissions controls, aligning closely with automotive industry preferences and prompting a legal challenge over lack of transparency.
• The repeal of world-leading tobacco endgame measures last year ignored public support and health advice, raising serious concerns about policy capture.

University of Otago researcher, Dr Jude Ball says these examples are just the “tip of the iceberg,” with concern growing over the broader influence of commercial lobbying on NZ policymaking, and ultimately on the health of our communities.

“The WHO report describes how transnational corporations use their growing power to influence policy, often to the detriment of public health, while governments are weakened or "captured" by commercial interests.”

The Briefing highlights recent NZ reports e.g., the Independent Electoral Review, that have recommended measures to protect against industry influence. Recommendations include banning political donations and gifts from industry, increasing transparency around conflicts of interest, and introducing a lobbying register and code of conduct.

“Public policy should be shaped by evidence and public interest—not by those with the deepest pockets and the loudest lobbyists. By adopting basic transparency and accountability measures, NZ can foster a business environment that’s both economically vibrant and health-promoting,” says Dr Ball.