Healthy Families NZ is marking a significant milestone, celebrating 10 years of dedication to improving health and wellbeing across Aotearoa.

Alongside Sport Canterbury, Healthy Families Ōtauathi (HFŌ) is proud to be part of the Healthy Families NZ initiative - which has revolutionised how we address the systems and environments impacting our health.

We know children learn better, workplaces are more productive, people are happier and healthier, and communities thrive in healthy environments. This vision has driven Healthy Families NZ for the past decade.
Healthy Families NZ focuses on making it accessible for everyone in Aotearoa to choose healthy foods, stay physically active, live smoke-free, reduce alcohol-related harm and enhance mental health, resilience, and wellbeing.

Grounded in mātauranga Māori, Healthy Families NZ is a community-led, systems-focused workforce prevention initiative. It has recognised communities are best placed to understand and prioritise their health needs, making it a proven and innovative approach to fostering a healthier Aotearoa. All our Healthy Families NZ localities are connected through this common approach, which creates healthier environments and futures for all.

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“For 10 years, each Healthy Families NZ lead provider has locally led its kaupapa. These collective actions for change have built our national movement,” HFŌ Manager Geni Ah Tong says.

“During this time, we’ve listened, learned and evolved to ensure our communities enjoy environments that enhance their health and wellbeing.”

A highlight for HFŌ in recent years has been Te Pou o Te Whare, created by Systems Innovator Lawrence Tau. This initiative, driven by community insights, aims to enhance access to play, active recreation and sport for children and young people in care.

Sport Canterbury Chief Executive Julyan Falloon says Healthy Families NZ has played a pivotal role in strengthening meaningful connections within our community.

“As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Healthy Families NZ, we are reminded not only about its impact on the wellbeing of our whānau but also how it’s significantly added to the quality of Sport Canterbury’s mahi.

“This initiative has provided us with the tools and resources to create lasting change, ensuring the people of Ōtautahi Christchurch make the healthy choice the easy choice.

“Having the Healthy Families NZ initiative as part of Sport Canterbury has been instrumental in supporting our vision of more people, more active, more often.”

As we mark 10 years of impact, we are proud to share the Healthy Families NZ: 10 Years of Impact Report, a measure of our growth, progressive wins and a celebration of the countless hands leading healthy change that brings our movement to life.

The report is available by visiting www.healthyfamiliesnz.org/10-years-of-impact.

Article added: Monday 04 November 2024