Overview
How government is structured; contribution of public policy and health policy to population health; policy advocacy; funding and organisation of health systems with a New Zealand focus.
The aim of this paper is to analyse the ideological foundations, structure and functions of public policy (including health policy) and health systems. Students will gain valuable practical skills in policy advocacy.
About this paper
| Paper title | Public Policy and Health Systems |
|---|---|
| Subject | Public Health |
| EFTS | 0.125 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period(s) | 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 4 September 2026)
(On campus)
1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 4 September 2026) (On campus) 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 4 September 2026) (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,743.38 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- MA, MHealSc, MPH, DPH, PGDipArts, PGDipHealMgt, PGDipHealthSc, PGDipPHC, PGCertPH, PGCertPHC
- Eligibility
- Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline or recognised equivalent.
- Contact
Wellington Campus: publichealth.wellington@otago.ac.nz
Christchurch Campus: publichealth.christchurch@otago.ac.nz
Dunedin Campus: publichealth.dunedin@otago.ac.nz- More information link
- View more information on postgraduate studies in Public Health
- Teaching staff
Wellington Campus and overall convenor: Dr Amanda D'Souza
Christchurch Campus: Dr Angela Curl
Dunedin Campus: Dr Erin Penno- Paper Structure
- Introduction to Public Policy and Health Systems
- Topic-based case study
- Public health and/in the New Zealand Health and Disability system
- Key challenges facing the New Zealand Health and Disability system
- Advocating for change - Policy making and policy advocacy
- Topic-based case study and conclusion
- Teaching Arrangements
Monday afternoons: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- Textbooks
- No textbook. Readings will be provided.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will:
- Demonstrate an understanding of different political ideologies.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the influence of public policy and health systems to population health.
- Demonstrate skills in policy advocacy.
- Demonstrate an understanding of equity and different institutional approaches to promoting equity.
- Demonstrate an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori health.
- Demonstrate an understanding of systems thinking as applied to public policy and health systems.
- Assessment details
Assessment:
- Assignment 1: Case study based around your health related issue (50%)
- Assignment 2: Policy submission advocating for change related to your topic (50%)
Overview
How government is structured; contribution of public policy and health policy to population health; policy advocacy; funding and organisation of health systems with a New Zealand focus.
The aim of this paper is to analyse the ideological foundations, structure and functions of public policy (including health policy) and health systems. Students will gain valuable practical skills in policy advocacy.
About this paper
| Paper title | Public Policy and Health Systems |
|---|---|
| Subject | Public Health |
| EFTS | 0.125 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period(s) | 1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 3 September 2027)
(On campus)
1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 3 September 2027) (On campus) 1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 3 September 2027) (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- MA, MHealSc, MPH, DPH, PGDipArts, PGDipHealMgt, PGDipHealthSc, PGDipPHC, PGCertPH, PGCertPHC
- Eligibility
- Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline or recognised equivalent.
- Contact
Wellington Campus: publichealth.wellington@otago.ac.nz
Christchurch Campus: publichealth.christchurch@otago.ac.nz
Dunedin Campus: publichealth.dunedin@otago.ac.nz- More information link
- View more information on postgraduate studies in Public Health
- Teaching staff
Wellington Campus and Overall Convener: Dr Amanda D'Souza
Christchurch Campus: Associate Professor Angela Curl
Dunedin Campus: Dr Erin Penno
- Paper Structure
- Introduction to Public Policy and Health Systems
- Topic-based case study
- Public health and/in the New Zealand Health and Disability system
- Key challenges facing the New Zealand Health and Disability system
- Advocating for change - Policy making and policy advocacy
- Topic-based case study and conclusion
- Teaching Arrangements
Monday afternoons: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- Textbooks
- No textbook. Readings will be provided.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will:
- Demonstrate an understanding of different political ideologies.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the influence of public policy and health systems to population health.
- Demonstrate skills in policy advocacy.
- Demonstrate an understanding of equity and different institutional approaches to promoting equity.
- Demonstrate an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori health.
- Demonstrate an understanding of systems thinking as applied to public policy and health systems.
- Assessment details
Assessment:
- Assignment 1: Case study based around your health related issue (50%)
- Assignment 2: Policy submission advocating for change related to your topic (50%)