Direction 2: Improve health and wellbeing for all Aucklanders by reducing harm and disparities in opportunities

​​Improving Aucklanders' physical and mental health and wellbeing means people will be happier, healthier, and more able to participate in activities that they value.

​A wide range of central and local government agencies, the private sector, and the community and voluntary sectors all play important roles in promoting wellbeing and reducing harm (for example from smoking, alcohol, drugs and gambling) to achieve good quality of life outcomes.

This includes positive actions towards a healthy lifestyle and programmes such as Healthy Auckland Together - visit the Healthy Auckland Together website to find out more.

You can also read the Alcohol Harm Minimisation Strategy and Smokefree Policy.

Assessing the health and wellbeing implications of decisions and promoting public health improves Aucklanders' health and wellbeing and helps to achieve equitable health outcomes.

Being able to get around easily and achieve educational or employment goals contribute to a person's ability and motivation to participate in and enjoy community and civic life.

• health and life expectancy
• trust and social cohesion
• educational performance
• employment
• the reduction of crime
• cultural and civic participation.

To improve health and wellbeing, we must address inequity, exclusion and disadvantage experienced by individuals, whānau and communities.

This includes ensuring that children and young people are given the opportunity to reach their potential so that they do not experience disadvantage as adults.

We must also address structural discrimination by encouraging a more diverse range of people in positions of decision-making and influence.

Socio-economic disparity, low social mobility and entrenched inequalities exist across Auckland, often in distinct geographic patterns.