Compliance and Health Protection

Health NZ / Te Whatu Ora Taranaki Compliance and Health Protection team is the lead service provider in Taranaki for the delivery of health protection functions. The main focus of the Compliance and Health Protection team to protect health and wellbeing in our Taranaki communities with a focus on environmental health and communicable disease control. This work is undertaken by specialised and designated officers that are appointed under various statues, although principally through the Health Act 1956. Health Protection Officers designated by the Director General of Health and have a role to provide advice, information, assess, respond and minimise public health risk.

Within the Compliance and Health Protection team, we work primarily in the following areas:

Communicable Disease Control
National Public Health Service (NPHS) Taranaki is responsible for investigating cases and outbreaks of notifiable disease, as well as controlling their spread within our community. Examples of notifiable diseases include salmonella, measles and meningococcal.

Alcohol Licensing
Under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 the Medical Officer of Health is required to inquire in to and report on the all licence applications for on, off, club and special licences. NPHS Taranaki team members are also involved in assisting Police and Licensing Inspectors with Controlled Purchase Operations to ensure compliance of licence holders with the Act.

Smokefree Enforcement
Smokefree enforcement officers undertake activities to ensure tobacco and vape product retailers are complying with the Smokefree Environments Act 1990 and Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Act 2020 (the Amendment Act). Smokefree officers work on behalf of the Ministry of Health to ensure tobacco retailers are complying with the Smokefree Environments Act 1990.  This includes providing education to retailers, conducting controlled purchase operations to test compliance, ensuring outdoor smoking areas comply with the Act and responding to complaints and enquiries.

Environmental Health
This work includes (but is not limited to) the following areas, hazardous substances, contaminated land, border health, burials and cremation, waste management, suspect food poisoning, solaria and sunbeds, recreational water. 

Last updated: Tuesday, February 27, 2024