Kia ora Neighbours!

We are a small (but mighty!) research group at The University of Auckland, really passionate about promoting health and well-being in communities across the country. We’re currently developing an exciting new tool to create healthy communities and are looking to partner with five, active neighbourhoods in New Zealand to test this tool. People within your neighbourhoods will be invited to help us design, test and use the tool. As participants, you will play a vital role and have a large say in the final design of the tool. It will then be used to gather information on the healthiness of food that is being advertised and sold in your local schools, supermarkets, takeaways and sport clubs. Ultimately, all of the information that is collected will be fed directly back to you and to people in local schools, supermarkets, sport clubs, food outlets and government.  It will also tell you a lot about where the healthy ‘hot spots’ are in your area and about how well your community, school or supermarket is doing compared to others in New Zealand. It may also motivate you, and the people in your area, to advocate for healthier food options. The purpose of this project is to create a tool that is functional, useful, informative and empowering!

At this stage, we are seeking individuals who are willing to act as ‘Champions’ for their local area. The ‘Champions’ will be asked to help identify participants for the project – local members of parliament, people working in the health field, employees of schools, supermarkets, fast food outlets or sports clubs, and, of course, your neighbours! ‘Champions’ will also be invited to participate in the pilot testing phase of the tool. It will be a really interesting role and one that requires relatively little time.

If you think that you, or someone you know, would like to get involved in this health promotion project please give us a call at 09-923-3371. Alternatively, feel free to email us at Rachel.williamson@auckland.ac.nz (Rachel) or s.Vandevijvere@auckland.ac.nz (Stefanie) or simply message us through Neighbourly.  

This will be a really exciting project and we can’t wait to start working with you to make your neighbourhood and wider community healthier!

Cheers,

Rachel and Stefanie