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phcc.bsky.social
Public Health Communication Centre
@phcc.bsky.social
760 followers 350 following 290 posts
Promoting research, analysis and commentary for a healthier Aotearoa.
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www.phcc.org.nz
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phcc.bsky.social
NZ’s ranking for protection from tobacco industry interference has fallen dramatically from 2nd to 53rd in global ranking, with repealed smokefree laws and a tax cut for heated tobacco products noted as key factors. @janethoek.bsky.social

tinyurl.com/yfek4fwm
Aotearoa plummets from 2nd to 53rd in Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index ranking
Recent policy changes have led to a dramatic drop in NZ’s global ranking for tobacco interference protection.
tinyurl.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:09 PM
phcc.bsky.social
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/07/g...
Govt's climate strategy: Let it burn
Comment: The Government has relentlessly pursued policies that boost climate pollution – even if they cost more or jeopardise NZ's reputation, Marc Daalder writes
newsroom.co.nz
November 9, 2025 at 11:12 PM
phcc.bsky.social
"If there is a coherent throughline to the totality of the Government’s climate policies, it can only be a willingness to
increase New Zealand’s contribution to global warming."
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/07/g...
Govt's climate strategy: Let it burn
Comment: The Government has relentlessly pursued policies that boost climate pollution – even if they cost more or jeopardise NZ's reputation, Marc Daalder writes
newsroom.co.nz
November 9, 2025 at 10:51 PM
phcc.bsky.social
New research shows people entering public housing in Aotearoa #NZ have far higher levels of need than those receiving the Accommodation Supplement, highlighting the importance of maintaining and expanding public housing. #PublicHealth
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/pub...
Public housing serves those with the greatest need—contrary to Government’s review claims
New research shows people living in public housing have higher levels of need than those receiving the Accommodation Supplement, contradicting the findings of a government-commissioned report.
www.phcc.org.nz
October 29, 2025 at 1:00 AM
phcc.bsky.social
New research finds that people entering public housing in Aotearoa have far higher levels of need than those receiving the Accommodation Supplement, contrary to govt-commissioned report. tinyurl.com/uy8h4x3h
Public housing serves those with the greatest need—contrary to Government’s review claims
New research shows people living in public housing have higher levels of need than those receiving the Accommodation Supplement, contradicting the findings of a government-commissioned report.
tinyurl.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:26 PM
phcc.bsky.social
New research shows exclusion/elimination strategies achieved the lowest Covid-19 mortality internationally, with no consistent evidence of economic disadvantage. #PublicHealth

www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/gre...
The great divide: How different Covid-19 control strategies shaped pandemic outcomes
New research shows that internationally, jurisdictions that adopted exclusion/elimination strategies achieved dramatically lower Covid-19 mortality during the critical 2020-21 period without clear eco...
www.phcc.org.nz
October 21, 2025 at 8:16 PM
phcc.bsky.social
Two in three New Zealanders will develop skin cancer. Prevention works, but only if it’s funded. The Briefing calls for stronger UVR protection across schools, workplaces, sports, and councils. @NZCancerSo #SunSafety #PublicHealth www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/aot...
Aotearoa’s skin cancer crisis: The case for sun safety action
Stronger policy is needed to reduce skin cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand, where prevention investment is critically low despite rising health costs and public support for more action.
www.phcc.org.nz
October 19, 2025 at 9:59 PM
phcc.bsky.social
Skin cancer is NZ’s most common and preventable cancer costing $450m a year. Yet government prevention funding is just $300k, one quarter of what it was 20 years ago. Time to make sun safety a public health priority. @NZCancerSo #PublicHealth #skincancer
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/aot...
Aotearoa’s skin cancer crisis: The case for sun safety action
Stronger policy is needed to reduce skin cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand, where prevention investment is critically low despite rising health costs and public support for more action.
www.phcc.org.nz
October 19, 2025 at 8:16 PM
phcc.bsky.social
Dr Liz Gordon, from Communities Against Alcohol Harm, said this was the "biggest number ever" to oppose a licence, and the local community would be "relieved and delighted" at the decision.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
October 16, 2025 at 8:02 PM
phcc.bsky.social
Restrictive rental rules can stop people from sharing rent, caring for whānau, or supporting friends in need. Tenancy laws should protect people, not just property. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/how...
How many people can rent a house together? Why occupancy limits need reform
Some landlords are setting restrictive occupancy limits in Aotearoa New Zealand that prevent families from living together, drive up housing costs, and even force some tenants from their homes.
www.phcc.org.nz
October 14, 2025 at 1:20 AM
phcc.bsky.social
"One woman with breast cancer was unable to take on another tenant to share rent costs, despite being the only tenant in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home."
www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
Families forced apart by unnecessary tenancy rules, research finds
A group of academics has called for reform of tenant occupancy limits, saying they are splitting up families and leaving homes underused.
www.thepress.co.nz
October 13, 2025 at 10:33 PM
phcc.bsky.social
New research shows landlords often set restrictive limits on how many people can live in a rental home, sometimes forcing families apart. These rules protect property, not people. It’s time tenancy law caught up. @universityofotago.bsky.social www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/how...
How many people can rent a house together? Why occupancy limits need reform
Some landlords are setting restrictive occupancy limits in Aotearoa New Zealand that prevent families from living together, drive up housing costs, and even force some tenants from their homes.
www.phcc.org.nz
October 13, 2025 at 9:07 PM
phcc.bsky.social
The health effects of climate change are unevenly distributed. Communities with fewer resources face higher risks and fewer protections. Policy responses in Aotearoa must prioritise equity. #climateaction #publichealth www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/cli...
Climate change is harming health: The need for urgent action
With mounting evidence of climate change’s health consequences, the case for urgent action is stronger than ever.
www.phcc.org.nz
October 7, 2025 at 10:06 PM
phcc.bsky.social
Climate change is a threat to public health. Transformational change is needed in Aotearoa across energy, transport, housing, and agriculture to protect health and reduce inequities. #climateaction #publichealth
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/cli...
Climate change is harming health: The need for urgent action
With mounting evidence of climate change’s health consequences, the case for urgent action is stronger than ever.
www.phcc.org.nz
October 7, 2025 at 8:41 PM
phcc.bsky.social
97% of young people in Aotearoa go online several times a day or almost constantly, and many say they feel “addicted” to platforms that keep them online while profiting from their data.
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/alm...
“Almost constant”: Young people overwhelmed by harmful online marketing
Young people say they are constantly exposed to harmful digital marketing for alcohol, vaping and other unhealthy products on social media. They tell researchers it's "inescapable".
www.phcc.org.nz
October 6, 2025 at 3:19 AM
phcc.bsky.social
"Nine hours, thirty-two minutes on my phone in one day. They just get more data to make my ads more personal." — Sarah, 18.
Social media platforms profit from keeping youth hooked and selling their data.

www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/alm...
“Almost constant”: Young people overwhelmed by harmful online marketing
Young people say they are constantly exposed to harmful digital marketing for alcohol, vaping and other unhealthy products on social media. They tell researchers it's "inescapable".
www.phcc.org.nz
October 5, 2025 at 9:18 PM
phcc.bsky.social
"I get a lot of beer ads on my Instagram… vaping and tobacco as well. It was almost inescapable." John, 17, Māori.
Young people say harmful marketing is everywhere online, targeting them daily.
#DigitalHarm
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/alm...
“Almost constant”: Young people overwhelmed by harmful online marketing
Young people say they are constantly exposed to harmful digital marketing for alcohol, vaping and other unhealthy products on social media. They tell researchers it's "inescapable".
www.phcc.org.nz
October 5, 2025 at 7:59 PM
phcc.bsky.social
“The stench invades everything.” Foul odours in some NZ towns have lasted for years, causing stress & sickness. Our latest Briefing says public health services must step up for affected communities and regulations should be tightened. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/mor...
More than just a bad smell: Odour pollution and health in Aotearoa New Zealand
Foul odours are commonly experienced by communities in Aotearoa but are frequently dismissed by authorities as minor nuisances rather than population-level health hazards.
www.phcc.org.nz
October 1, 2025 at 9:17 PM
phcc.bsky.social
Persistent foul odours are often treated as “just an annoyance.” But they can harm health. Dr Jonathan Jarman highlights gaps in NZ’s current system & calls for stronger public health leadership. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/mor...
More than just a bad smell: Odour pollution and health in Aotearoa New Zealand
Foul odours are commonly experienced by communities in Aotearoa but are frequently dismissed by authorities as minor nuisances rather than population-level health hazards.
www.phcc.org.nz
October 1, 2025 at 8:15 PM
phcc.bsky.social
⚠️ ECan declares a ‘Nitrate Emergency’ over rising drinking water contamination. Dr Tim Chambers & co-authors warn more action is needed from local & central government to keep Kiwis safe. 💧🥛 www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/eca...
ECan’s ‘Nitrate Emergency’: Good step but here is a more robust path for region’s drinking water
The declaration of an 'emergency' is a start, but more action is needed to protect drinking water sources and public health.
www.phcc.org.nz
September 25, 2025 at 8:28 PM
phcc.bsky.social
Most Kiwis support government action on catastrophic risks — from nuclear conflict to pandemics and runaway AI. Yet NZ remains underprepared, with gaps in energy and food security. #Resilience #RiskPreparedness www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/maj...
Majority public support for government action on catastrophic risks
Most New Zealanders support stronger government action to prepare for catastrophic risks such as pandemics, nuclear conflict, and AI, but current national planning falls short.
www.phcc.org.nz
September 25, 2025 at 12:02 AM
phcc.bsky.social
Aotearoa needs stronger gun controls and targeted prevention to keep suicide rates falling and reverse the rise in firearm assault.
Firearms incidents cost Aotearoa $322m a year: Strong laws save lives
New research shows strong firearm laws save lives, but rising firearm assaults and stark inequities mean Aotearoa must strengthen regulations and prevention efforts to reduce harm.
www.phcc.org.nz
September 23, 2025 at 3:23 AM
phcc.bsky.social
The Government cannot afford to ignore the Public Health Advisory Committee’s new report, which lays out a roadmap for improving health and equity in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Leading public health experts urge the Government to act on its recommendations. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/cho...
Choosing a healthier, fairer future for Aotearoa: New report provides the direction
The Government cannot afford to ignore the Public Health Advisory Committee’s report setting out a roadmap for improving health and equity in Aotearoa New Zealand.
www.phcc.org.nz
September 15, 2025 at 12:15 AM
phcc.bsky.social
Poor indoor air costs NZ around $1 billion a year in healthcare and lost productivity. Investing in clean air is good for health and the economy. #indoorairquality www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/inv...
Invisible and ignored: Why indoor air quality deserves our attention
Polluted indoor air is a hidden threat, linked to illness, lost productivity, and preventable deaths. Aotearoa New Zealand needs a coordinated national strategy to make clean, safe indoor air the norm...
www.phcc.org.nz
September 10, 2025 at 9:33 PM
phcc.bsky.social
Strong public health outcomes depend on councils having the resources to act. Funding reform for local government is a national priority. #localelectionsnz www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/loc...
Local elections and public health: A critical connection
Voting has just opened for the 2025 local elections. New Zealanders have an opportunity to choose candidates who will prioritise public health and community resilience.
www.phcc.org.nz
September 9, 2025 at 4:14 AM