WELLINGTON BRANCH

The Wellington branch is made up of PHANZ members from across Wellington, Wairarapa and nearby areas. The Wellington branch focusses on local public health issues and challenges unique to these areas and across the motu.

What We Do

The Wellington branch brings together likeminded public health professionals to connect, collaborate, and share knowledge and expertise.

The Wellington branch explores opportunities within the Wellington, Wairarapa and nearby areas to work with their communities in addressing specific public health challenges and promote health equity.

With the support of the PHANZ National Office, the Wellington branch contributes to the development of public health policies and strategies aimed at improving the health and well-being of the New Zealand population.

The Wellington branch meets on the second Tuesday of each month and holds additional events for members and friends throughout the year.

To become a member of the Wellington branch, you must be a PHANZ member.

To join PHANZ, check below or update your selected branch in your member profile.

Join PHANZ

Branch Officers

The Wellington Branch has the following Officer roles available:

Chair & Newsletter Co-Ordinator: Dr. Ramil Adhikari
Office Support: Gail Duncan

Vacant Roles:
Co-Chair
Secretary (Branch meetings only)
Treasurer
Newsletter Co-Ordinator
Fundraising Co-ordinator

Members are elected to officer roles at Branch Annual General Meetings (AGMs).

If you’re interested in putting yourself forward for one of the vacant roles, please contact the Branch Chair by completing the contact form at the bottom of this page.

Key Documents

DOWNLOAD HERE
DOWNLOAD HERE

Activities and Events

Post Budget Breakfast 2023

19 May 2023
The Wellington branch held their annual Post Budget Breakfast alongside the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in May this year. This event takes place the day following the budget announcement by the government and has been a regular occurrence for over a decade.
This year the event was held at St Peter’s Church in Wellington; sponsored by CPAG, the PHANZ Wellington branch and the Social Justice Group of St Peter's. The event began with brief introductions from CPAG (Lisa Woods), PHANZ (Ramil Adhikari) and Social Justice Group (Gail Duncan) as well as MC Josie Pagani.
Other speakers included: Hon Priyanka Radhakrishnan, Minister for Community and Voluntary Sector, Murray Edridge (Wellington City Missioner), Jonathan Boston (Victoria University), Huhana Lyndon (Ngātiwai Trust Board), Charles Waldegrave (Family Centre), Louise Delany (Tax Justice Aotearoa) & Lisa Te Morenga (Health Coalition Aotearoa).
UCAN Petition: Remove prescription fees for Community Services Card Holders

11 October 2021
Initiated by Professor Nikki Turner on behalf of United Community Action Network (UCAN), this parliamentary petition aimed to remove prescription fees for Community Service Card holders. It was discussed at the Wellington branch PHA meeting on 11 October 2022 and then disseminated through branch bulletin. It was encouraged that all Wellington based members sign and circulate. More information on the petition can be found at the link below: https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/news/petition-asks-parliament-remove-5-prescription-fee-community-service-card-holders
NZ Association of Economists Conference

29 June - 1 July 2022
Gail presented at NZAE on valuing mortality related consequences of the pandemic against public health measures taken during the pandemic. She also discussed the relative cost of loss of life during the pandemic and the effectiveness of health systems and legislation to reduce the loss of life. An estimation of the percentage of value of lives lost (VSL) to the total wealth of the economy could inform further investment in public health.
COVID-18 Community Support

The Wellington Branch has shown continued support for government policies relating to the COVID-19 epidemic.
The branch and its members have also provided support with translation of information for non-English speakers within the Nepalese, Hindi, Punjabi and Chinese communities.
The Wellington branch Chair plays a proactive role in bridging the work and service relationship between the Ministry of Health/Te Whatu Ora and diverse communities