Dave Letele: health advocate and activist on the Helen Clark foundation urging the Government to tackle New Zealand's obesity rates - Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Helen Clark foundation is calling on the Government to address New Zealand's growing obesity stats and improve access to healthy foods.

The think tank's newly-released report revealed that one in eight Kiwi kids and one-third of adults live with obesity - the third-highest rate in the OECD.

Health advocate and activist Dave Letele says it's important to invest in educational programs to teach families how to improve their help - but companies need to be regulated too.

"These companies, these sugar companies, these fast-food companies - the most profitable places are all in the poorest areas. I think they should be made to invest in these communities."

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