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Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Education Minister Hekia Parata have welcomed the appointment of Professor Grant Schofield, as the Ministry of Education’s first Chief Education Health and Nutrition Advisor.

“Obesity is a serious issue threatening the health of young New Zealanders, which means some of our kids could end up living shorter lives than their parents,” says Dr Coleman.

“In 2014/15 11 per cent of all children aged 2-14 years were obese. The figures for Maori and Pacific children were 15 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.

Minister of Education Hekia Parata and Associate Minister of Health Peseta Sam Lotu-liga today welcomed the release of the 2016 edition of the New Zealand Autism Spectrum Guideline.

The Guideline, launched at the Autism New Zealand Conference held in Wellington, is based on the most up-to-date information available and aims to improve the health, education and social outcomes for people with autism.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Education Minister Hekia Parata say good progress is being made in encouraging primary schools to adopt the Health Promoting Schools programme.

“One in three New Zealand school children are either obese or overweight, and more than a third are inactive,” says Dr Coleman.

“That’s why the Government launched the Childhood Obesity Plan. New Zealand is now one of the few countries in the OECD to have a target and a comprehensive plan to tackle childhood obesity.