Healthy Families NZ is a large-scale chronic disease prevention initiative that aims to create a healthier Aotearoa New Zealand.
Set up by the New Zealand Ministry of Health in 2014, Healthy Families NZ currently has funding until 2026. Presently operating in 10 locations nationwide, Healthy Families NZ locations do not fund, or deliver services, or interventions within their communities - they aim to accelerate and mobilise action within the health system and beyond.
The Healthy Families NZ approach is underpinned by a set of principles including an explicit focus on equity, improving Māori health and reducing inequalities for groups at increased risk of chronic diseases. This has been a crucial difference by Healthy Families NZ compared to previous initiatives funded by the Ministry of Health.
Healthy Families NZ provides an exemplar of how to empower communities and create system change at a local level.
Kinnect Group member Nan Wehipeihana has been involved in the evaluation of Healthy Families NZ initiatives since its inception. The evaluation has used a comparative case approach.
A reflection on the findings, challenges and opportunities on evaluating Healthy Families NZ by Nan Wehipeihana and Anna Matheson (Victoria University of Wellington School of Health) can be viewed here:
