The shared history of public health and planning in New Zealand: A different colonial experience

• The shared-history of planning and public health is explored from 1840 to 1990.
• This history is assessed in terms of New Zealand as a self-governing colony.
• Maori experiences of public health and planning are assessed.
• .Establishes the historic difficulties in linking health and planning.
• Reflects on future research opportunities in the area.

Historically, public health shared common concerns with town planning, as both sought to create healthy living environments. This article explores how the relationship between the two areas developed and changed in New Zealand and how this experience reflects New Zealand's colonial status and history and its bicultural character. It explores Māori experience of both areas in the period from 1840 to 1990 including how Māori concerns and interests were addressed and influenced public health and planning. The experience of Māori in these areas is also considered in terms of some of the experiences of First Nation people in Australia and Canada. It concludes that the shared history of planning and public health was not sustained beyond the 1940s.