This report presents recommendations for tackling infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance in New Zealand, drawing heavily on past recommendations, including the 2017 New Zealand antimicrobial resistance action plan. The burden of infectious disease disproportionately affects Māori and Pacific peoples, as well as young and old people, those with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, those living in remote rural areas, and those living in hardship. Tackling infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance requires kotahitanga – unity, togetherness – across human, animal, plant and environmental health. Recommendations follow six themes: • Elevate and expand antimicrobial stewardship, including developing a coordinated national approach to antimicrobial resistance across human, animal, and plant health • Develop an integrated surveillance and outbreak response system, including bringing together information on microbes and infections across human, animal, and plant health, and the environment • Strengthen infection prevention and control, including developing a national approach and expanding standards • Grow New Zealand’s infectious disease capability and engage internationally, including a national strategy encompassing human, animal, and plant health, and establishing an inclusive infectious diseases network • Enhance human health literacy in patient care settings, public communication campaigns, and education • Reimagine primary care, including enhancing equity and removing barriers to access healthcare and medicine.
