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As New Zealand announces its first wellbeing budget, matters of wellbeing and happiness are being recognised as essential to the health of democracy and political stability worldwide
By Liz Terry | Published in Spa Business 2019 issue 1
Jacinda Ardern announced her wellbeing budget in Davos
At the recent World Economic Summit in Davos, Jacinda Ardern, prime minister of New Zealand, announced that her government will publish the world’s first wellbeing budget in May this year.
Rather than being an add-on to a conventional budget, the wellbeing budget will permeate all aspects of government finance and have long-term goals and funding.
There will be key priority areas focused on intergenerational change, including living standards, human, social and natural capital, while areas of special concern will be mental health, climate change, digital transformation, social exclusion, health, housing and domestic violence.
Ardern believes neo-capitalism and the move away from kindness in social policy which we have seen in recent decades has created social problems which are giving rise to civil unrest, posing a threat to the world’s democracies and leading to the rise of nationalism, isolationism, protectionism and the abandonment of global institutions.
She said: “At a time when the international rules-based order is under strain and leaders around the world are grappling with understandably dissatisfied constituencies, I hope this wellbeing approach will provide a model which others, in turn might look to.
“I wholeheartedly believe that more compassionate domestic policies are a compelling alternative to the false promise of protectionism and isolation.”
Several governments have appointed ministers for happiness and wellbeing to bring a focus to this important area of policy, but this is the first time a government has opted to orientate all its major policies in this way.
It’s significant to hear our industry being proposed as part of the solution to such fundamental global issues and heralds challenging times, full of opportunities for us to be useful.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Event saunas, sunlight therapy
and health and happiness retreats
feature in our programming series
Interview: Marc Cohen
Dr Marc Cohen is launching an extreme
bathing retreat and writing children’s
books. He talks to Jane Kitchen
Promotional feature: Vital Tech
Infrared technology is growing in popularity, Vital Tech’s Alexandra Gavsevitch
and Serge Parienti explain how it works
Focus on: Equine therapy
What is equine therapy and how
can spas tap into horsepower?
Kathleen Whyman finds out
Wellness: Chill out
Is going sub-zero the next big thing?
Kath Hudson takes a closer look
at the benefits of cryotherapy
Promotional feature: The Wellness
Noha Khalil of The Wellness discusses how
gym and spa elements are increasingly
coming together through design to
deliver outstanding fitness concepts
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Sommerhuber GmbH
Sommerhuber specialises in the manufacturing of heat-storing ceramics for spas. [more...]
AKT Group
AKT Group is the Franco–Italian parent company of SKYY, C.O.D.E. and AKTMe, operating as an integrat [more...]
As New Zealand announces its first wellbeing budget, matters of wellbeing and happiness are being recognised as essential to the health of democracy and political stability worldwide
By Liz Terry | Published in Spa Business 2019 issue 1
Jacinda Ardern announced her wellbeing budget in Davos
At the recent World Economic Summit in Davos, Jacinda Ardern, prime minister of New Zealand, announced that her government will publish the world’s first wellbeing budget in May this year.
Rather than being an add-on to a conventional budget, the wellbeing budget will permeate all aspects of government finance and have long-term goals and funding.
There will be key priority areas focused on intergenerational change, including living standards, human, social and natural capital, while areas of special concern will be mental health, climate change, digital transformation, social exclusion, health, housing and domestic violence.
Ardern believes neo-capitalism and the move away from kindness in social policy which we have seen in recent decades has created social problems which are giving rise to civil unrest, posing a threat to the world’s democracies and leading to the rise of nationalism, isolationism, protectionism and the abandonment of global institutions.
She said: “At a time when the international rules-based order is under strain and leaders around the world are grappling with understandably dissatisfied constituencies, I hope this wellbeing approach will provide a model which others, in turn might look to.
“I wholeheartedly believe that more compassionate domestic policies are a compelling alternative to the false promise of protectionism and isolation.”
Several governments have appointed ministers for happiness and wellbeing to bring a focus to this important area of policy, but this is the first time a government has opted to orientate all its major policies in this way.
It’s significant to hear our industry being proposed as part of the solution to such fundamental global issues and heralds challenging times, full of opportunities for us to be useful.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Event saunas, sunlight therapy
and health and happiness retreats
feature in our programming series
Interview: Marc Cohen
Dr Marc Cohen is launching an extreme
bathing retreat and writing children’s
books. He talks to Jane Kitchen
Promotional feature: Vital Tech
Infrared technology is growing in popularity, Vital Tech’s Alexandra Gavsevitch
and Serge Parienti explain how it works
Focus on: Equine therapy
What is equine therapy and how
can spas tap into horsepower?
Kathleen Whyman finds out
Wellness: Chill out
Is going sub-zero the next big thing?
Kath Hudson takes a closer look
at the benefits of cryotherapy
Promotional feature: The Wellness
Noha Khalil of The Wellness discusses how
gym and spa elements are increasingly
coming together through design to
deliver outstanding fitness concepts
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
Swire Hotels’ luxury hospitality brand Upper House has revealed it will roll out its two-day
House of Healing retreats at its three hotels in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai.
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Sommerhuber GmbH Sommerhuber specialises in the manufacturing of heat-storing ceramics for spas. [more...]
