What is Healthy Families Invercargill?

Healthy Families Invercargill is one of 10 communities chosen to be part of the Healthy Families NZ initiative, a large-scale prevention initiative that brings community leadership together in a united effort for better health in the places we live, learn, work, and play.

Our goal is for everyone in our community to live in environments that enable healthy food and physical activity choices, that support and encourage us to be smokefree, to drink alcohol only in moderation, and that increase mental health, resilience and wellbeing. Environments where the healthy choice is the easy choice.

Our approach is to work collaboratively with local leaders and organisations to identify, design, and implement changes to help people make healthier choices and live healthier lives. We focus on addressing the underlying conditions that impact our health and wellbeing, in order to reduce the risk of preventable chronic disease.​​​​​​​

The Local Food Champion Award recognises a business that uplifts and strengthens Murihiku’s local food system. Underpinned by the Feeding Murihiku Good Food Road Map's five pou, we are seeking businesses who are committed to a more equitable, secure and resilient local food system.  

The five pou include: 

• ​​​​​​​Whakanui Murihiki – Celebrate Southland - A flourishing food system that reflects who we are 
• Nā Tātou – Locally Led – Our food supply is community-led, independent and collaborative. 
• Hei Oranga – Food that Nourishes – We want good food to be the easiest choice to support health and wellbeing 
• Kore Hiakai – Zero Hunger – We want good food to be accessible, affordable, and available to all 
• Pakari Tonu – Resilience – We want our food supply to be stable, secure and sustainable 

Please answer the following five questions, sharing how your mahi aligns with the vision of a flourishing, inclusive, and sustainable food system for Murihiku Southland. 

Applications close on 15th June and judging takes place throughout July.