Healthy Active Learning initiative now in 40% of New Zealand schools

The joint government initiative between Sport NZ and the New Zealand Ministries of Health and Education - Healthy Active Learning - has recently hit its target of extending into 800 schools and kura (a school, typically one where lessons are conducted in Maori) equating to 40% of schools and kura in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The first 300 schools and kura engaged in Healthy Active Learning in 2020 have also had their support extended from three to five years, meaning they will continue to be supported through to the end of 2024.

The NZ Minster for Sport and Recreation, Grant Robertson marked this milestone at Randwick School in Lower Hutt, highlighting the impacts that this joint-agency initiative is having in improving the wellbeing of children and their communities.

Working together, the three agencies support schools and kura to create healthy and active learning environments and better connection to their local communities. Sport NZ is providing a physical activity workforce, the Ministry of Health is providing a health promotion workforce and the Ministry of Education has provided new Health and Physical Education (HPE) and Hauora curriculum resources.

Positive impacts are being seen in improving the wellbeing of children and their communities, across Aotearoa New Zealand. Recent evaluation findings have shown that Healthy Active Learning has significantly increased, for example, the priority placed on professional learning and development (PLD) for Health and Physical Education (HPE), more teachers integrating HPE learning with other learning areas, and schools and kura providing physical activity experiences that are inclusive and meets the needs of all students.

The New Zealand Government has invested $47.6 million into the Healthy Active Learning initiative between 2020 and 2024 and has recently committed a further $13.4 million in outyear funding to support the ongoing delivery of this initiative beyond 2024. It is being delivered at no cost to education providers.

More information on Healthy Active Learning 

Access evaluation findings here