enhancing food security and physical activity for maori, pacific and ...

Enhancing Food Security and Physical Activity for Māori, Pacific and Low-income Peoplessignificant positive impact on the final policy. Further evidence from upcoming impactevaluations would strengthen this picture.Effect on equity for Māori, Pacific and low-income peoplesHIA has a proven track record in addressing the needs of Māori, Pacific and low-incomecommunities. This is no doubt in part due to the emphasis on equity in the New ZealandHIA Guides. 2 4Acceptability to stakeholdersIn recent years there has been increasing engagement by key stakeholders in HIA inNew Zealand, particularly in public health and at local government level. Acceptability ofthis approach at central government continues to be much slower in building, with only afew pilot HIAs at central government to date. 2 . However, progress is currently beingmade in the transport arena, an area highly relevant to this current research, and onethat could provide a good example of the potential of the technique at this level. 15Potential side-effectsHIA has a strong focus on the potential side-effects of its process and outcomes. As aresult, it is likely that any negative side-effects would be carefully considered during theprocess and that positive side-effects would be identified and enhanced where possible.Cost-benefit analysisNo cost-benefit data was identified in New Zealand, although a small study of 16 HIAs inthe United Kingdom found that the benefits of HIA outweigh the costs, suggesting thatHIA is ‘a cost effective use of NHS [National Health Services] resources’. 16ConclusionThere is evidence that HIA is a valuable tool for enhancing physical activity for Māori,Pacific and low-income New Zealanders. It is likely that it would also be useful inenhancing food security for these groups. It seems sensible to continue to undertakeHIAs in the physical activity arena and to trial HIAs in relation to food security.Evaluations of HIA have been limited to date, although a number are underway at thetime of writing. Analysis of the findings from these evaluations will provide furtherevidence of the value of HIA and likely identify ways to strengthen the work that isundertaken in this country. The HIASU provides leadership and support to the HIAcommunity. An evaluation of its initiatives is currently underway. Given the value thatHIA appears to have across a wide range of policy arenas, careful consideration of thefindings of this evaluation is needed to ensure that HIA continues to be promoted andwell supported in this country..Recommendations• Continue to undertake HIA to enhance physical activity for Māori, Pacific and lowincomeNew Zealanders.• Trial and evaluate HIAs to enhance food security for Māori, Pacific and lowincomeNew Zealanders.• Assess the impact of evaluations of HIAs that are currently underway in order tostrengthen HIA in New Zealand.199