$3m to help keep Hutt families healthy

National Party candidate for Hutt South, Chris Bishop, welcomes news Hutt City Council has been selected to lead a $3 million anti-obesity initiative in Lower Hutt which will help families improve their health.

“Healthy Families NZ is National’s new $40 million initiative which aims to improve people’s health where they live, learn, work and play in order to prevent obesity. It is a complete reform of the way we address the underlying causes of poor health,” says Mr Bishop.

“The Hutt City Council, selected through a competitive tender process, will be responsible for bringing together a partnership of community leaders and recruiting a dedicated health promotion workforce.

“The Council will create a dedicated team of people who will work with schools, early childhood education centres, workplaces and sports clubs to encourage and support people to make healthy lifestyle choices.

“Encouraging individuals and their families to live healthy, active lives is part of National’s plan to help kiwi’s lead healthier, happier lives, and to reduce chronic disease and obesity in New Zealand.

“Healthy Families NZ is an exciting initiative which I believe will greatly benefit the Hutt South community,” says Mr Bishop.

From October 2014, Healthy Families NZ will roll out to 10 communities around the country. It is expected to reach around 900,000 New Zealanders.

Healthy Families NZ is based on one of the very few anti-obesity programmes that actually work - Healthy Together Victoria programme from Australia.

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