Webinar: Politicians to present policies on lobbying
The OECD gave New Zealand a zero rating for its lack of policies to manage the risks of lobbying. Health Coalition Aotearoa is hosting a FREE lunchtime webinar for political parties to present their visions and policies for lobbying reform.
Date: Monday 5th October 2026.
Time: Noon to 1pm.
Location: Online via zoom.
Cost: FREE.
Party spokespeople from ACT, NZ First, The Opportunities Party (TOP), Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori have so far confirmed their attendance.
Find out more about this Health Coalition Aotearoa webinar on lobbying reform, including how to register.
"Out of 47 OECD countries, we are bottom of the class when most countries have already enacted laws and regulations," says Health Coalition Aotearoa co-chair Professor Boyd Swinburn.
"None of these lobbying regulations, including in places like Ireland, Australia, Canada or France, are perfect, but they do create transparency and accountability."
The webinar comes at a time when Aotearoa New Zealand faces a health system crisis that could be eased by policies addressing tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food. However, vested interest lobbying is a major reason why successive governments have failed to act.
One in four years of healthy living lost to early deaths and disability is due to tobacco, obesity and unhealthy food, and alcohol.
"It doesn’t have to be this way if politicians put people ahead of the profits of harmful industries," says Swinburn.