Healthy Active Learning

We know physical activity has a positive impact on wellbeing and learning for tamariki.

That's why Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa has partnered with the Ministry of Health and the Minsitry of Education on the exciting initative Healthy Active Learning.

What we do

At Sport Canterbury, we currently work in 70 primary and intermediate schools across our region - with 40 in Ōtautahi Christchurch, 8 in Mid Canterbury, 15 in South Canterbury and 8 in Te Tai Poutini West Coast.

Our team of facilitators and community connectors work closely with school staff and communities, supporting them and working towards five broad outcomes:

• Education settings value and prioritise quality play, active recreation, sport, health and physical education, and quality food and drink.

• Education settings support and promote healthy food and drink environments.

• Education settings value mātauranga Māori and promote culturally distinctive approaches to play, active recreation, sport, kai and inu, and curriculum delivery.

• Teachers and kaiako are confident and capable, using active teaching and learning approaches to deliver quality health and physical education.

• Education settings build strong connections with whānau and their local community, supporting inclusive and equitable access to play, active recreation, sport, and quality food and drink.

Locally, we are working collaboratively with our partners at Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora and the Ministry of Education so we can collectively have a measurable impact on the wellbeing of tamariki across Waitaha Canterbury.

Healthy Active Learning schools

The initiative involves the co-design of local curriculum to improve tamariki wellbeing. Healthy Active Learning schools and kura have access to:

• A skilled workforce who will collaboratively support schools and kura to create healthy active learning environments and better connections to communities

• Toolkits to create healthy food and drink environments

• Resources to support quality delivery of the Health and Physical Education and Hauora curriculum.

​​​​​​​PALS - Physical Activity Leaders

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Physical Activity Leaders (PALs) is an empowering leadership programme delivered by Sport Canterbury, designed to build the capability and confidence of our tamariki. The overarching goal of PALs is to not only enhance but also champion the benefits of play and physical activity within their respective kura, with a particular emphasis on nurturing the wellbeing of the younger students. The PALs programme is available to all primary and intermediate schools across all Sport Canterbury regions.​​​​​​​​​​

Latest Healthy Active Learning news

Meet the Team

Ōtautahi - Greater Christchurch Region

Our Regions - Mid Canterbury, South Canterbury and the West Coast

Latest Healthy Active Learning videos