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New Zealand. Department of Health Te Tari Ora: Ephemera

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Reference NumberEph-Gp-0185Date[1920s?]-1993DescriptionThis collection includes posters and display cards organised by health topic.

Please note: these items are under Crown copyright. They have been made available via this website with the kind permission of the Ministry of Health. They may not be used for commercial use, including print or online publications and public display, without permission from the Ministry of Health.History / BiographyThe Department of Health was formed as a consequence of the passing of the 1900 Public Health Act. Prior to this, health related administration came within the domain of the Provincial Governments (up to 1876) and then under a Central Board of Health. The 1900 Act allowed for the employment of five district health officers and the division of New Zealand into Health Districts. Their role at this time was related to measures to improve sanitation and (to prevent infectious diseases), to allow for quarantine and vaccination. The Health Department's early emphasis on environmental hygiene was a consequence of concerns raised by several epidemic 'scares' during the 1890s. Sir Joseph Ward was appointed as the first Minister of Health. After 1900 the role and function of the Health Department expanded rapidly with several key acts passed. These included the Sale of Food & Drugs Act (1907) and the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act (1909) which merged the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Department into the rapidly growing Health Department. In 1911 the administration of Native Medical Services was transferred from the Native Department. The severe influenza of 1918-1919 saw further review of health organisation and the Health Act (1920) created a Board of Health and the establishment of the School Dental Service. The Social Security Act (1938) invested the administration of medical and allied benefits into the Health Department's functioning. World War II led to the Department of Health assuming the responsibility of the medical examination of all recruits liable for military service. The Department would be responsible for this role from 1941-1949. With the passing of the Military Training Act in 1949, this function of the Department was transferred to the Department of Labour. In 1947 the Department of Medical Hospitals became the Mental Health Division of the Health Department. Specialised developments during this period included the establishment of the National Health Institute, the National Audiology Centre the Air Pollution Control branch and the formation of a Research and Planning Unit. The new Health Act [1956] and Hospitals Act [1957] saw further consolidation of the department's statutory functions and provided further responsibilities with regard to the provision of adequate and efficient hospital services. In a 1968 publication the Department summarised its functions as such: 1. to administer the Health Act 1956, Hospitals Act 1956, the Mental Health Act 1911, Pt III of the Social Security Act 1938 and other acts relevant to the promotion or conservation of health 2. to advise local authorities in matters relating to environmental health 3. to prevent, limit, and suppress communicable and other diseases 4. to promote or undertake research and investigation in health fields and the prevention and treatment of disease 5. to publish reports, information and advice concerning health 6. to organise, control or advise on appropriate medical, dental and nursing services. 7. take all steps as may be desirable to secure the preparation, effective carrying out and co-ordination of public health measures. By 1968 New Zealand was divided into 18 health districts each under the control of a Medical Officer of Health. Ten psychiatric hospitals were operated by Medical Superintendents. The structure of the Department also increased in complexity with the development of specialised divisions and units. These included the National Radiation Laboratory (NRL) and the National Environmental Chemical and Acoustic Laboratory (NECAL). The Health Department over time also came to administer many Boards, Committees and other Bodies with involvement in health issues. Internal restructuring of the Department took place during 1989 to better meet the requirements of a health service based on a network of area health boards. [Corporate Plan Introduction 1991-1992]. It appears however, that the main statutory functions of the department remained essentially the same. As a consequence of reform within the health sector the Department of Health was abolished and replaced by the Ministry of Health on 1 July 1993. The Ministry's role included funding and monitoring the health sector for the Crown and the chief advisor to the Minister of Health on health and disability support policy. (From: ‘Department of Health, Head Office Full history' Archives New Zealand Collections Search, https://collections.archives.govt.nz/en/web/arena/search#/entity/aims-archive/AAFB/department-of-health%2C-head-office?q=department+of+health&source=aims-archive, accessed 23 September 2024.)

New Zealand. Department of Health Te Tari Ora: Ephemera

Depicts Or Relates To

NamesNew Zealand Department of HealthSubjectsPublic healthHealth promotionHauoraHealth and hygieneMaori - Health and hygienePublic health administrationFood - Safety measuresCervix uteri - CancerPediculosisLiceMyalgic EncephalomyelitisRats - ControlPest controlCommunicable diseasesMeaslesRubellaSexually transmitted diseasesSexual healthInfection - PreventionVaccinationImmunizationSmoking - New Zealand - PreventionPublic health nursing - New ZealandEnvironmental healthWork environment - New Zealand - Safety measuresHome accidents - PreventionHauora wairuaTuberculosisDiphtheriaChildren - Safety measuresChildren - Health and hygienePoisonsDental careGoiterAnemiaNutritionMilkEchinococcosisFire preventionWorld Health DayCancerHauora ā-wahaTikanga akuakuHaumarutangaDermatologyCannabisMalariaFamily planningPhysical fitnessPostureNursingSunburnUltraviolet radiationSolar radiationRadiology, MedicalRadiography, MedicalDrug abuseWomen - Health and hygieneBodyweight - regulationWeight - lossHearingContraceptionHolidays - Safety measuresTravel - Safety measuresSex educationFoot - Care and hygieneHIV infections - PreventionAIDS - preventionWater - FluoridationFirst aidHydatids

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New Zealand. Department of Health Te Tari Ora: Ephemera

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