A coalition of health organisations is calling for urgent reforms to prevent the alcohol industry from influencing government policy, warning that alcohol remains the most harmful drug in Aotearoa.
Health Coalition Aotearoa, supported by 65 organisations including the Cancer Society and Women’s Refuge, has issued an open letter urging the government to adopt safeguards similar to those used in tobacco control. The group wants the alcohol industry excluded from policy development and all meetings with officials to be made fully transparent.
Professor Lisa Te Morenga, a leading researcher in nutrition and Māori health, says alcohol companies enjoy privileged access to politicians, while public health experts are sidelined.
“They’re friends and mates,” she said. “Their friends still working in the alcohol industry can get early access to meetings, or even just catch up at the pub. There’s always an opportunity for them to push their case – arguing that restrictions will hurt jobs or won’t be effective. They’re very good at lobbying, and we don’t have the same power in public health,” says Te Morenga.
Rawiri Rātū, Co-Chair of the Ministry of Health’s Alcohol Harm Reduction Steering Group, says Māori communities must unite to resist the industry’s influence.
“We as Māori need to come together, not operate in silos. Iwi need to be involved. The research we did clearly showed the harm being done to Māori across hapū and iwi. If we keep relying on the Crown to fix this, our tamariki and mokopuna will continue to suffer long after we’re gone,” says Raatu.
The coalition’s call comes amid growing concern over alcohol-related harm, particularly in Māori communities, and increasing scrutiny of industry lobbying in public health policy.
