NZ First announces 15-point health policy overhaul
Sunday 20 September 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Winston Peters, NZ First
New Zealand First has launched its "Make NZ Healthy" initiative, proposing a major overhaul of the national health system. The 15-point plan focuses on preventative care, metabolic health, and addressing chronic illness. Proposed measures include researching intravenous Vitamin C and providing incentives to reduce GP burnout.
Key facts
5 facts
- NZ First proposed a 15-point health policy called 'Make NZ Healthy'
- The policy includes researching intravenous Vitamin C for surgical infection prevention
- The plan proposes bringing health coaches into general practice
- The party seeks to include nutrition in the curriculum from primary to medical school
- The party cites that 59% of health spending goes toward treating chronic conditions
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
New Zealand First has launched the first stage of its 'Make NZ Healthy' campaign, which proposes a major overhaul of the national health system. The party intends to pivot the system toward preventative care and metabolic health to address a crisis of chronic illness.
The 15-point policy includes researching the potential of intravenous Vitamin C for use in hospital trials before and after surgery to prevent and treat infections. It also proposes a full independent review of dietary guidelines and embedding nutrition in the education curriculum from primary school through to medical school.
To support primary care, the party plans to bring health coaches into general practice to help reduce GP burnout. Other commitments include funding research into nutritional interventions for mental illness and reviewing optimal vitamin D levels.
The party argues that current spending is inefficient, stating, “New Zealand is currently spending $33 billion a year on health and nearly all of it is spent treating people after they are sick”. NZ First aims to shift funding toward early intervention and healthier lifestyles rather than increasing expenditure on medicines and treatments.
Compiled from reports by NZ Herald and Stuff.