Māori Party founder Dame Tariana Turia is calling for the government to fund more gastric bypass surgeries.
Dame Tariana Turia. Photo: RNZ
Over the weekend, National's deputy leader Paula Bennett revealed she underwent the weight-loss surgery late last year.
Dame Tariana had the operation in 2009 and said it changed her life.
The surgery was far too expensive for many people who needed it, she said.
"We can't go creating a situation where people are poor and then we put into those poor communities all of these fast food outlets that create obesity and then say, 'It's your own fault.'"
The government would save money in the long run by reducing diabetes and heart disease, Dame Tariana said.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the government was prepared to get advice on whether policies relating to gastric bypass surgery operations were working well.
Ms Ardern said it was not an operation that was right for everyone and it was also important to look at preventative and primary healthcare options.