Developing policy to support sustainable diets in Aotearoa New Zealand with contributors

Aotearoa New Zealand (Aotearoa NZ) is an example of a high-income country with high environmental impacts and health consequences associated with its food system. These impacts can be partially addressed by enabling dietary transitions to healthy and sustainable diets. The EAT-Lancet Commission proposed an internationally acceptable reference diet to promote planetary health. We aimed to work with contributors to develop policy actions to support New Zealanders to transition to healthy sustainable diets. These policies were further examined according to the World Cancer Research Fund, NOURISHING and High Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) on Food Security and Nutrition Food System frameworks. Semi-structured interviews (13) and focus groups (6) were conducted with contributors from government agencies, industry, academics, community and rural and urban tangata whenua communities. All interviews and focus groups were first transcribed using Otter.aI then reviewed by the research team. Thematic analysis was used to identify and summarise each policy. 111 policies were suggested across the NOURISHING framework policy domains: 11 (10%) in behaviour change communication; 35 (32%) in the food environment; and 65 (59%) addressing the food system. Participants spoke of behaviour change communication policies of education, awareness campaigns, and workshops such as cooking classes. Food environment policies targeted supermarkets and food retail, local food environments, and government standards and regulations including food taxes and subsidies. Policies in the food system area looked at food waste, supporting local food production and government structures and support. Contributors identified policies that advocate and support planetary health. Key policy insights{square} The majority of policies identified by contributors focused on food systems and specifically food production {square}Many contributors highlighted existing policies or initiatives already implemented locally and nationally but needed further support {square}There is limited research demonstrating the effectiveness of policies and initiatives addressing sustainable food systems in Aotearoa New Zealand {square}Funding, resources and research of existing local initiatives and policies supporting sustainable food systems in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally are urgently required