There are calls for the Government to reconsider its opposition to a sugar tax.

Britain is giving soft drink companies two years notice of a tax on sugar content to be introduced from 2018, creating pressure for other countries to follow suit. However, National has ruled out a similar move here.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said the Government had more than 20 initiatives to combat obesity, but a sugar tax would not be added at this stage.

"There is no one silver bullet that is going to solve this. I know that the UK have gone ahead [with a sugar tax], but the best advice I've had is that the evidence at this point is not definitive.

"We will keep a watching brief on it, but we are not actively planning to introduce one."

SEE ALSO: Calls for NZ to follow Britain's lead on sugar tax

Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox said it should be put back on the table, to deal with our health issues.

"Obesity is rife in this nation, teeth have become an indication of wealth in this nation, if we can help to curb that, that would be fantastic," Fox said.

"We used to lead the world in a number of things like tobacco control, all around the world now plain-packaging is out there, and we have been slow to pick it up. The Maori Party have been calling for a sugar tax for years."

Gerhard Sundborn is the founder of public health advocacy group FIZZ, and said the obesity plan we have at the moment, which focuses on education and exercise, is weak.

"And if we don't do something about it, and something that involves initiatives like this, our obesity prevalences are going to continue to grow."