Health Impact Assessment in New Zealand

Completed Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) in New Zealand

2009

An Age-Friendly Community: Shaping the future for Waihi Beach HIA

2008

2006

2005

Avondale Liveable Communities Plan HIA

An Age-Friendly Community: Shaping the future for Waihi Beach HIA (2009)

Waihi Beach (Waihi Beach ward) is a high ageing community of around 3,000 usually resident people, of which 22% are 65 years and older, and approximately half of the total population is aged 45+. The percentage of residents 65 years and older will increase to around 32% in the next ten years and 34% in the next 20 years (given migration variables).

The Western Bay of Plenty Local Governments: Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council established SmartGowth as a coordinating agency to provide for sustainable forward planning actions to manage the projected high growth in the sub-region. A 50year Strategy and plan defines forward actions. Waihi Beach is identified as an intensification zone to accommodate future population growth.

An Age-friendly Health Impact Assessment (AFHIA) was utilised to examine the extent to which, within a context of policies for urban intensification, provision for the ‘ageing-in place’ health and wellbeing of ageing populations at Waihi Beach could be improved.

The project found that a range of identified health improvements drive an immediate need to resolve amenity planning within the town centre, transport options, primary health and community support care service delivery including responsibility to meet land and health service Treaty of Waitangi obligations to local Māori.

Download the An Age-Friendly Community: Shaping the future for Waihi Beach HIA report (Warning, large file - PDF, 2.7 MB)

Related information
Health Impact Assessment Case Study: Waihi Beach Age-Friendly HIA

Draft Hastings District Council Graffiti Vandalism Strategy HIA (2008)

Hastings District Council (HDC) recognises that graffiti is an issue for the district and already provides significant resources for its removal. Despite these commitments, the Hastings District Council struggles to make significant progress against graffiti vandalism. The draft Graffiti Vandalism Strategy has been developed to provide a coordinated approach to graffiti reduction and provide support for funding applications. The Strategy builds on existing operations and activities as well as recommending new initiatives and focuses on integrating the following themes:

Reporting and Recording
Removal
Prevention
Enforcement
Education
Community

Download the Draft Hastings District Council Graffiti Vandalism Strategy HIA report (PDF, 689 KB)

Central Plains Water HIA Summary (Word, 82 KB)

Central Plains Water Scheme HIA (2008)

The Central Plains Water Scheme (CPWS) is a proposed project designed to provide irrigation for 60,000 hectares of land in Canterbury. The scheme would encourage intensification of farming in order to meet increasing world demand for agricultural products. Community and Public Health, of the Canterbury District Health Board, has undertaken this Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to contribute to the consideration of the proposed scheme within the statutory resource consent process.

This HIA has considered the evidence for the benefits and risks of the CPWS with respect to population health and wellbeing. The assessment is based on evidence drawn from four workshops with key stakeholders and experts, literature reviews and interviews with experts. In particular, the HIA has considered the potential health implications in terms of water quality and socio-economic issues.

Download the Central Plains Water HIA report (PDF, 333 KB)

Christchurch South West Area Social and Health Assessment (2008)

The Christchurch South West Area Social and Health Assessment was undertaken to identify existing and potential social and health issues for South-West Christchurch, as it accommodates further urban growth over the next 35 years; and to provide recommendations as to how the Christchurch City Council, through the Area Plan, can contribute to improving social and health outcomes.

Beca was engaged to assist Council in preparing the assessment, and are the author of the report. Collaborations® and Quigley and Watts also made contributions.

A number of research questions were posed by Council in the assessment, such as:

Who are the community now and into the future?
What are the key social and health issues now and into the future?
What is the role of the Council to contribute to improving social and health outcomes (as identified in the Long Term Council Community Plan - LTCCP)?
What key principles, methods, and monitoring requirements should be provided within the Area Plan?

The report identified a range of challenges for the future development of the south-west area from a health and social wellbeing perspective. There are methods or potential solutions that relate to the provision of services, the physical and social development of the area. These challenges can be met by the implementation of the methods.

Overall, from the review of Council Policies, Strategies and other relevant documents, consultation, data and social planning and health models, a suite of recommendations were made for both long term planning and ‘short term wins’.

Download the Christchurch South West Area Social and Health Assessment HIA report (PDF, 1 MB)

McLennan Housing Development, Papakura HIA (2008)

In late 2007, a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) was initiated to focus on the McLennan housing development. The Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) initiated and managed this HIA. The project is funded by Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB), through its Let’s Beat Diabetes programme. The LBD programme recognised that urban design and planning can directly influence physical activity opportunities in communities - and therefore on obesity, a significant driver of type two diabetes. LBD has used a strategy of supporting 'exemplar models' before, in terms of demonstrating how something can work and holding it up as an example for others to examine and adopt/follow. They chose to fund this HIA for that reason.

Three areas were selected for focus in the HIA:

service access: to identify the scope of services that will be available in the short, medium and long term, and any potential gaps
walkability: to identify opportunities for walkability and in so doing maximise the potential of the design
community cohesion: to identify ways in which the community functioning can be positively developed, social cohesion (neighbourliness) maximised and local identity and diversity fostered.

A wide range of recommendations were made, some of which are potentially far-reaching. The table on page 10 of the report details the key challenges, opportunities and recommendations for action, for each of the three focus areas. An extensive set of detailed recommendations is contained in section 7 of the report.

Download the McLennan Housing Development, Papakura HIA report (PDF, 1.8 MB)

Proposed Liquor Restriction Extensions in North Dunedin HIA (2008)

The Dunedin City Council (DCC) was asked by the Dunedin Police to consider extending the existing liquor restrictions to cover North Dunedin. This was because of Police and community concerns about alcohol and drinking in public places which has resulted in disorder, litter and an increase in recorded offences in North Dunedin. The DCC therefore proposed extending the bylaw to the North Dunedin area, and also identified a range of additional activities that could form part of a comprehensive strategy to address issues relating to alcohol in the wider city and more specifically North Dunedin.

A Health Impact Assessment (HIA) was undertaken on the proposed liquor restrictions in North Dunedin by Public Health South (an entity of the Otago District Health Board). This report formally documents the rationale behind completing an HIA on the proposed bylaw, the process involved and the conclusions reached.

This process generated a range of recommendations which are detailed in the content of the report. Many of these recommendations were aimed at addressing alcohol-related issues in North Dunedin and are included in the report. However, because the primary purpose of an HIA is to identify the potential impacts a particular policy may have it is important to separate these recommendations out for consideration.

Download the Proposed Liquor Restriction Extensions in North Dunedin (PDF, 592 KB)

Ranui Urban Concept Plan HIA (2008)

Ranui is a community in Waitakere City, Auckland, with a high number of children and young people and high levels of social and economic deprivation. Ranui residents have reported a strong sense of community and belonging. The Waitakere City Council is developing a Ranui Urban Concept Plan to set out how the Ranui centre could grow and evolve over the next decade.

This report presents the process and findings of a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) on the draft Ranui Urban Concept Plan (June 2008) and the majority of information in this report is in relation to that draft.

The work was initiated and funded by the Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS). Quigley and Watts Ltd led the HIA, in partnership with Waitakere City Council (WCC) and ARPHS.

Overall, the HIA found the Ranui Urban Concept Plan has good potential to contribute to greater social connectedness and wellbeing, as long as adequate actions are taken to mitigate unintended adverse effects including possible displacement from housing, housing un-affordability or unsuitability of housing design. Several information gaps were identified in the course of undertaking the HIA. In particular there is a need for research with Pacific peoples on housing needs and preferences, and with young people on the design of the village green.

Download the Ranui Urban Concept Plan HIA report (PDF, 1 MB)

Tokoroa Warm Homes Clean Air Project HIA (2008)

This report outlines key findings from a Health and Well-being Impact Assessment conducted in Tokoroa during 2008 as part of the Tokoroa Warm Homes Clean Air (TWHCA) Project.

The HIA considers the potential impacts – positive and negative - of proposed air quality policy currently being developed by Environment Waikato on cultural, community, socio-economic and environmental well-being in Tokoroa.

The 57 recommendations emerging from the HIA are divided into recommendations relating to regional policy development; decision-making processes; partnership and participation processes; policy implementation; and monitoring and evaluation. A reflection on project progress, focussing on resources, community engagement and policy effectiveness since this HIA is provided in Section 7 of the report.

Environment Waikato is undertaking a technical peer review that will enable them to register the HIA report as a technical report (publicly accessible doc that would be added to national archives database). We will replace the version on the HIA webpage with the accredited technical report when it becomes available.

Download the Tokoroa Warm Homes Clean Air Project HIA report (PDF, 1 MB)

Wellington Regional Policy Statement HIA (2008)

This rapid Health Impact Assessment (HIA) was conducted to assess the impact of two sections of the draft provisions of the Regional Policy Statement (dpRPS) on health and well-being within the community. It was conducted by Regional Public Health (RPH) in partnership with Greater Wellington Regional Council (GRWC). By assessing the health impacts of the dpRPS, the HIA aims to improve the health of the community and reduce inequalities throughout the greater Wellington region.

Download the Wellington Regional Policy Statement HIA report (PDF, 921 KB)

Future Currents: Electricity Scenarios for New Zealand 2005 - 2050 HIA (2006)

This is a report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) that explores two different futures for electricity supply and demand in New Zealand. The two scenarios are:

Fuelling the Future – assumes a small investment in energy efficiency with energy services provided by increased, largely bulk-generation capacity ie, a ‘business as usual’ scenario.
Sparking New Designs – smart design is used to increase energy efficiency with a focus on energy services being provided on a small scale with emphasis on energy efficiency.

The HIA was commissioned to identify the health and wellbeing issues associated with the two scenarios. Stakeholder involvement comprised representatives of the energy sector and related organisations. The determinants of health chosen for the HIA were:

Housing and building (new developments, rules in district plans, building codes, energy use, and indoor air pollution).
Economics (individual costs for energy, what the money is spent on, and local and regional business development).
Social connectedness (democracy, sense of control, and pride in community).

The HIA demonstrated the greater health benefits under the smart design scenario with its stronger focus on energy efficiency and small-scale generation. These benefits are additional to improved energy security and reduction in greenhouse gases. Three of the eight recommendations from the HIA were:

The proposed energy strategy should include public health objectives
The Building Code should be strengthened for energy efficiency
The National ‘Energy Strategy should support small scale generation and energy efficiency initiatives. (Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, 2006).

View the HIA report, Healthy,wealthy, and wise. A health impact assessment of Future Currents: Electricity scenarios for New Zealand 2005-2050 (www.pce.govt.nz)

Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy (UDS) HIA (2006)

The Greater Christchurch UDS is a community-based collaborative project to manage the impact of urban development and population growth within the Greater Christchurch area. It involves four local authorities, central government and local business and community leaders who meet regularly as the UDS Forum.

The UDS was subject to an HIA led by the District Health Board’s Community and Public Health staff. Christchurch City Council also played a key role.

The HIA focused on five determinants of health agreed by participants – air and water quality, social connectedness, housing and transport. A separate workstream focused on developing an engagement process with local Māori around the UDS. The HIA facilitated meaningful participation by Māori in the UDS, an outcome that had previously been unsuccessful.

The HIA report has been accepted by the UDS Forum and has been incorporated as a working document into the strategy planning process. As a result, population health outcomes have become a key focus of the UDS (Stevenson 2006). In addition, the Christchurch City Council has seconded a public health registrar to continue public health oversight of council proposals.

Download the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy HIA report (PDF, 1 MB)

Related information
Impact Evaluation of the Christchurch Urban Development Strategy Health Impact Assessment

Greater Wellington Regional Land Transport Strategy HIA (2006)

The Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) produced a draft 10-year Regional Land Transport Strategy (RLTS) for the region with a public consultation planned for November 2006. The GWRC strategy ‘seeks a resilient and sustainable transport network where getting around is easy, safe and affordable’.

The Land Transport Management Act 2003 stipulates that the RLTS must, among other things, ‘promote and protect public health’. To ensure it does, the GWRC commissioned an HIA that assessed the potential impacts of the RLTS on public health and community wellbeing.

Determinants of health were chosen for this HIA were physical activity, accessibility to services and the community, accident rates and changes in injuries and fatalities, reduced community connectedness (community severance) as a result of roads and/or traffic, and stress and anxiety.

The major recommendations of the HIA approach were:

Incorporate social equity and affordability into the RLTS objectives and outcomes.
Investigate changes in fare pricing structures and fare boundaries to improve equity and affordability.
Increase the proportion of funding for public transport, walking and cycling, and reduce the proportion of funding for new roading, as new roading is not likely to promote health, while other modes of transport are.
Make trade-offs explicit with regard to the mis-match between objectives and funding allocations.
Initiate HIA in projects that flow out of this RLTS, and initiate HIA earlier in future RLTS planning processes.
Strengthen the aims of the RLTS towards increased mode share for public transport and active modes and reduced dependence on private motor vehicles.
The Regional Council Transport Committee will consider the recommendations of the HIA, a strategic environmental assessment, and submission on the draft strategy. The Council will finalise the strategy early in 2007.

Download the Greater Wellington Regional Land Transport Strategy HIA report (PDF, 517 KB)

Mangere Growth Centre Plan HIA (2006)

This HIA focused on the implementation of the Mangere Growth Centre plan – a plan linked with Auckland’s Regional Growth Strategy, which aims to better manage population growth in the region. The HIA was commissioned to be linked with the Counties-Manukau Let’s Beat Diabetes campaign and aimed to highlight aspects of urban design that ‘might contribute to a reduction of obesity levels in the district’. In particular, the HIA examined the proposed regeneration plans for housing and parks within a social housing precinct in Mangere, and the proposed Arts Centre and how they might affect the health and wellbeing of the local population. There was a particular focus on the link between urban design and physical activity/ nutrition, along with five other determinants of health: social connectedness, personal and community safety, access to services and employment, housing and community spaces

The key agencies involved were: Auckland Regional Public Health Service, Manukau City Council, Counties Manukau DHB and Housing New Zealand Corporation. Local community leaders and health workers were also involved on the steering group and in the appraisal process, and contributed to the formulation of the recommendations made in the final report.

The HIA report included a community profile and an evidence review of the links between urban development and health, along with a series of recommendations to the Manukau City Council, Housing New Zealand Corporation and Auckland Regional Public Health Service. These recommendations ranged from high-level policy and practice recommendations (eg, Manukau City Council building regulations around noise standards should be tightened to reflect best practice in the region), to detailed project level suggestions (eg, design of public spaces and social housing in the Housing New Zealand Corporation’s Pershore Precinct should support active living and recreation).

Download the Mangere Let's beat diabetes HIA report (PDF, 876 KB)

Avondale Liveable Communities Plan HIA (2005)

Auckland City had a draft plan that set out the proposed strategies to manage residential growth in Avondale over the next fifteen years, while strengthening the community, the economy and protecting the environment. Populations affected included the 14,000 people currently living within the Avondale area and the additional 5000 expected. The growth would be equivalent to about 40-50 new households on each street in the zone of change.

The draft strategy was subject to a consultant-led HIA in 2005, undertaken at short notice and in a compressed timeframe. The HIA included screening, scoping, assessment and reporting phases, as outlined in A guide to HIA. A rapid literature review of the evidence base and assessment of the population affected informed a participatory half-day workshop attended by a range of stakeholders. The results of this workshop, plus desk-based assessment work and information previously gathered in community consultations, provided the basis for the assessment and recommendations made. Thirty-three of 35 HIA recommendations to modify the plan for health gain were accepted by the Auckland City Council. Workstreams are being set up to implement them.

Examples of the key recommendations from the HIA were:

Encourage greater access to community facilities.
Consider design impacts on health and wellbeing when assessing developments.
Consider a hierarchical approach to transport within the Avondale area, placing greater emphasis on facilitating walking and cycling as modes of transport over private motor vehicles.
Encourage the development of travel plans for schools and businesses.
Incorporate crime prevention features in design ie, improving lighting and surveillance.
Encourage the location of affordable child care facilities close to places of employment.
Review provision of public open spaces for recreation and the need to locate them in close proximity to residential areas.
Improve the quality of parks and facilities to encourage greater use.
Work with local businesses to encourage the hiring of local people for local jobs.

The HIA was funded by the Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS). Stakeholder involvement was principally community-level agencies, local staff from central government departments and the Community Board. Results of previous community consultations on the plan were fed into the HIA.

Download the Avondale Liveable Communities Plan HIA report (PDF, 452 KB)

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Page last updated: 29 September 2009