Tackling the Obesity Crisis: Healthy Eating and Income Inequality

New Zealand has the third-highest obesity rate among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. To overcome the obesity crisis in New Zealand, this article investigates whether removing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on fresh fruit and vegetables would improve affordability and healthy eating habits, particularly for low-income families. To support the recommended approach for New Zealand, the article also undertakes a relevant discussion of Australia's general GST treatment of food to identify any insights applicable to New Zealand's regime. The removal of GST on fresh fruit and vegetables in New Zealand, however, would not sufficiently improve affordability and healthy eating habits, particularly for lowincome families, to justify the costs associated with change. This article puts forward that a smart card scheme for purchasing fruit and vegetables, if combined with an increase in education to prioritise healthy eating could better reduce New Zealand's high obesity rate.