The aim of this section is to provide links to useful resources and organisations to support public health work and capacity development. If you know of any additional resources which could be promoted here, please let us know.
In this page, you can find information about:
Organisations
Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health is the Government's principal advisor on health and disability. The website offers a range of information and publications including the main organisations and structures in the health system, specific health and disability programmes, projects, and regulations. It is also a central location for accessing New Zealand health data and health statistics.
Health Workforce NZ
Health Workforce New Zealand (HWNZ) provides national leadership on the development of the country’s health and disability workforce.
Public Health Association
The Public Health Association (PHA) is a voluntary association that takes a leading role in promoting public health and influencing public policy. The website provides a range of resources, key public health documents, training and membership information.
Te Hiringa Hauora
Te Hiringa Hauora/Health Promotion Agency is a New Zealand Crown entity leading and delivering programmes and activities to promote and enable health, wellbeing and healthy lifestyles. It also provides advice and research on alcohol issues.
Health Promotion Forum
The Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand - Runanga Whakapiki ake i te Hauora o Aotearoa works to support leadership, relationships and the health promotion workforce. The website has tools, information on training, conferences, workshops, Māori and Pacific models, and links to key strategies.
Le Va - Pacific
Le Va, Pasifika within Te Pou, is New Zealand’s national coordination service and workforce development programme for Pacific mental health, addictions, disabilities and general health.
Te Rau Ora
Te Rau Ora supports Māori workforce development to enhance whanau ora, health and wellbeing. They provide national and local workforce policy, research, training, career advancement, bursary programmes, scholarships and regularly updated information and resources for people accessing or working in health.
Community Matters; Department of Internal Affairs
This website provides useful advice and support for the community sector, including community profiles to help identify and understand the current and future trends in social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of New Zealand communities. There is also information on funding for community organisations, community research, successful initiatives, useful toolkits and publications.
The Community Internship Programme funds hapu, iwi or community groups with identified development needs to employ skilled professionals from the public, iwi, private or community sectors as interns for three to six months. The programme is designed to achieve specific capacity-building outcomes for host hapu, iwi or community organisations, and relationship-building outcomes between the public, private, iwi or community sectors.
Community Net Aotearoa
The Community Resource Kit is a guide to setting up and running community groups in New Zealand, for community, voluntary and iwi/Māori organisations, from small or emerging groups to more established organisations, and all the workers, volunteers and advisors working with these groups. The website has great practical guides, toolkits on anything from funding to advocacy and research.
Bay Navigator
Bay Navigator is a joint initiative between primary and secondary care in the Bay of Plenty, designed to improve the quality and flow of healthcare across the region. This website is designed as an information and communication portal for all health professionals in the Bay of Plenty.
Resources
Health Equity Assessment Tool: User Guide
The Health Equity Assessment Tool (HEAT) is an important resource in public health work, providing support to health decision makers in consideration and tackling of health inequalities. This link takes you through to the user guide, which can assist in application of the tool.
Models for Health Promotion
A range of models are used in health promotion work; here are links to a few most commonly utilised:
- Te Pae Mahutonga - the model and more in-depth explanation
- Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (see page 5 for the diagram)
- Te Whare Tapa Wha
Other Health Promotion Resources
- Information on the social determinants of health
- Information on health in all policies
Health Literacy
There are a wide range of great health literacy resources available. If you are looking for some support on developing a health literacy framework, evaluating health literacy ideas or support with awareness training of staff within your organisation please contact our Public Health Development Advisor.
- A Framework for Health Literacy: a health system response (Ministry of Health)
- Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit, 2nd edition (US)
You can also register as a health professional on the Australian Health Literacy Hub and gain access to a wide range of research, resources and tools, including:
- Resources - summary sheets, factsheets and info graphics for public, management and for clinicians.
Literature & research
Listed below are just some of the many interesting sources of public health literature and research.
- Publications from the Public Health Association (PHA)
- Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
- Otago University Public Health Expert blog
- Otago University video recorded Public Health seminars and presentations
- Massey University Centre for Public Health Research publications
- Bulletin of the World Health Organisation
Public health competencies
Competency is defined as “the ability to apply particular knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to the standard of performance required in specified contexts.” There are a variety of competency frameworks within the health sector.
In the public health context, competencies can help identify the common skills, knowledge and values which can be embedded across all public health sectors and disciplines for the delivery of essential public health services. Below are the public health competency frameworks currently used in New Zealand.
Generic Competencies for Public Health in Aotearoa/New Zealand 2007
The generic public health competencies (GPHCs) for public health provide a minimum baseline set of competencies that is common to all public health roles across all public health sectors and disciplines. They are intended for use by practitioners, managers, policy makers and analysts, educators and trainers, and funders and planners.
Health Promotion Competencies for Aotearoa New Zealand 2012
These competencies are a framework for health promoters as well as those working in other areas where their role reflects the Ottawa Charter definition and principles of health promotion (e.g. kaimahi or community health development). The purpose of this tool is to identify and define the behaviours, skills, knowledge, and attitudes that health promoters need to work effectively and appropriately with Maori and other peoples, communities, and organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand to improve health and health equity and address the determinants of health.
Te Ture Whakaruruhau – Code of Ethical Principles for Public Health in Aotearoa New Zealand 2012
This code, produced by the Public Health Association (PHA), provides guidelines for public health professionals, managers and organisations to support ethical public health practice in New Zealand.
For more information or discussion on these competencies, please contact our Public Health Development Advisor.
Updated 24 Mar, 2022