Media release from New Zealand Nurses Organisation

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) recently passed a remit to support the removal of GST from healthy food.

"One of NZNO's strategic aims is to oppose injustice and inequality wherever it impacts on the health and well-being of New Zealanders. Removing GST from healthy food would certainly be a step in the right direction to achieving this goal," says Chair of NZNO College of Primary Health Care Nurses, Rosemary Minto.

Studies show that the availability of food and access to it is presenting a growing health problem for New Zealanders during the current global financial crisis, particularly for those on low incomes.

"Low income earners pay a higher proportion of their income in GST than high income earners. If GST was removed from healthy food it would be one less barrier to accessing healthy food."

Researchers from the UK, Australia, the University of Auckland's Clinical Trials Research Unit and Otago University's Department of Public Health have found strong evidence that removing GST from healthy food will produce health gains for the New Zealand population.

"If GST is removed from healthy food, nurses working and health care workers would expect to see fewer cases of obesity. We would also hope to see people suffering from diabetes better able to manage their condition. Gains in health mean less spending on health, so I see the removal of GST on food as a win-win situation for patients, the health system and government." Rosemary Minto says.