Overview
Introduction to public policy and its crucial role in population health. Investigation of New Zealand policymaking, process and analysis. Roles of evidence, the media, interest groups and corporations in policy development.
The goals of this paper are to develop an appreciation of the key role that public policy plays in population health and to develop skills in understanding, analysing and intervening in the making of healthy public policy. To this end, the paper is designed to critically investigate public policy and policymaking; understand the policy process and the role of evidence within it; and apply policy evaluation.
About this paper
| Paper title | Healthy Public Policy |
|---|---|
| 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) |
| 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, PGDipHealSc, 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
Dunedin Campus: Professor Alex MacMillan
Christchurch Campus: Associate Professor Rebecca McLean
Wellington Campus and overall convenor: Professor Janet Hoek
- Paper Structure
Topics:
- Introduction to health and public policy
- Block Day - Analysing policy
- The policy cycle and process
- Agenda setting
- Institutions and stakeholders in policymaking
- Policy implementation and evaluation
- Teaching Arrangements
Wednesday mornings: 9am-12pm
One block day: Wednesday 22 July, 9am-3pm
- Textbooks
No required textbook.
- 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:
- Assess the historical, socio-political and economic forces that shape public policy
- Use policy analysis skills to critique existing policy
- Build on the foundational knowledge to demonstrate a critical understanding of the process of development of public policy, including the role of evidence
- Assessment details
Assessment:
- Assignment 1 - 45%
- Assignment 2 - 55%
Overview
Introduction to public policy and its crucial role in population health. Investigation of New Zealand policymaking, process and analysis. Roles of evidence, the media, interest groups and corporations in policy development.
The goals of this paper are to develop an appreciation of the key role that public policy plays in population health and to develop skills in understanding, analysing and intervening in the making of healthy public policy. To this end, the paper is designed to critically investigate public policy and policymaking; understand the policy process and the role of evidence within it, and apply policy evaluation.
About this paper
| Paper title | Healthy Public Policy |
|---|---|
| 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, PGDipHealSc, 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
Dunedin Campus: Professor Alex Macmillan
Christchurch Campus: Associate Professor Rebecca McLean
Wellington Campus and Overall Convener: Professor Janet Hoek
- Paper Structure
Topics:
- Introduction to health and public policy
- Block Day - Analysing policy
- The policy cycle and process
- Agenda setting
- Institutions and stakeholders in policymaking
- Policy implementation and evaluation
- Teaching Arrangements
Wednesday mornings: 9:00am-12:00pm
One block day: Wednesday 21 July, 9:00am-3:00pm
- Textbooks
No required textbook.
- 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:
- Assess the historical, socio-political and economic forces that shape public policy
- Use policy analysis skills to critique existing policy
- Build on the foundational knowledge to demonstrate a critical understanding of the process of development of public policy, including the role of evidence
- Assessment details
Assessment:
- Assignment 1 (45%)
- Assignment 2 (55%)