National Food and Drink Policy - (3rd edition)
The National Food and Drink Policy supports health sector leadership by promoting healthier food environments in health sector work and public places.
Pātiki and Waharua Kōpito patterns
About this item
- Issue date:
- 25 June 2025
- Status:
- Current
- Corporate Authors:
- Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora
- Document date:
- 22 May 2025
- Type:
- Policy
- Topic:
- Nutrition, Public health
- Location:
- National
- Copyright status:
© Crown Copyright, Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
This is the 3rd edition of the National (Healthy) Food and Drink Policy that was first published in 2016.
The Policy has been developed by the National Food and Drink Environments Network, a group of nutrition, food service, and public health representatives from Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora, the Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora, the University of Auckland and the National Heart Foundation of NZ.
The 3rd edition addresses feedback from stakeholders and introduces greater flexibility, clarity and sustainability.
The Policy applies to all food and drink provided or sold from Health NZ and Ministry of Health facilities or services, including Health NZ providers and partners. It does not apply to inpatient meal services, Meals on Wheels, or self-funded food and drink brought into facilities by staff and visitors.
The main changes in the 3rd edition include health, wellness and sustainability measures, layout changes, guidance about the use of amber and red criteria foods, the addition of green criteria for bakery and packaged snacks, and a wider range of low sugar drinks.
Guidance and resources
- 6.2 Hot meals prepared on site – example weekly menu [PDF, 107 KB]
- 6.2 Hot meals prepared on site – example vegan and vegetarian recipes [PDF, 869 KB]
- 6.3, 6.5, 6.7 Compliant packaged meals and snacks [PDF, 564 KB]
- 6.4 Bakery guide [PDF, 2.5 MB]
- 6.4 Example bakery cabinet [PDF, 454 KB]
- 6.4 Example GREEN baked items [PDF, 270 KB]
- 6.4 Bakery portion control guide [PDF, 2.3 MB]
- 6.4 Bakery – example GREEN recipes [PDF, 957 KB]
- 6.4 Compliant pre-prepared baked items [PDF, 1.9 MB]
- 6.6 Compliant drinks [PDF, 523 KB]
- 6.6 Example GREEN/AMBER fresh-made smoothies [PDF, 320 KB]
- 6.7 Example vending machine drinks [PDF, 736 KB]
- 6.7 Example vending machine snack foods [PDF, 659 KB]
- Celebrating cultural diversity [PDF, 62 KB] - Cultural festivals and celebrations: For those offering hot meals, consider offering cultural celebratory meals (examples provided).
- Posters: Celebrating cultural diversity – Karakia mō te kai (to bless food) [PDF, 149 KB]
For those offering a seating environment, consider displaying a karakia in the dining room (examples provided or choose one you are familiar with).