Resources
Use the search bar below to find the resources you need. We collate information from around the web to provide the most up to date and well-informed advice.
Healthy Futures Water Kit
Are you looking for an attractive and effective way to hydrate the crowds at your school, sporting or other event? Healthy Futures now has Water Kits available for purchase! Read on to find out more or if you would like to learn how to set up your own.
Preventing Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes prevention resource available in multiple languages from the Diabetes Projects Trust.
Are you at risk of developing diabetes? This Diabetes New Zealand resource will help you determine your risk and show you how you can try and prevent ever getting diabetes.
Even if you have been told you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, or if you have pre-diabetes, we show you how you can reduce your risk and prevent or delay diabetes developing.
Exercise and Fitness
Is your child overweight or obese and inactive? Do you worry about their health? Consider joining Green Prescription (GRx) Active Families. It's free!
Movement is important from birth. Help your infant or toddler to be active, and they will learn and develop quickly. Sensory exploration, play and movement are how your child makes sense of the world. Help them out by giving them lots of opportunities to play and move. This Ministry of Health publication gives us information on activities for under 5s.
The Health Promotion Agency brings us lots of fun ideas to keep your family active. From playgrounds and parks, games, walks and the location of swimming pools.
Being active will help your child achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. Being active has many other health benefits and can be fun for the whole family. This Ministry of Health information gives us tips to help 2-5 year olds be more active.
Tahi Fitness (MSP Soul Fitness) is based in Kilbirnie and can help you improve your fitness and wellbeing.
Do we need sports drinks for everyday sport? Find out what's behind the hype with this Health Promotion Agency info on what to drink during sport.
A Green Prescription is not a pill or medicine – it’s a script from your doctor or practice nurse with advice on being active. Find a Green Prescription contact near you.
"Come along to our exercise classes. Everyone is welcome! Bring along a towel, some water, and your friends and family!"
Find a Compass Health free or low cost community class near you.
Plan your walking or cycling journey using the Greater Wellington Regional Council journey planner to get the best, safest route.
Health Ed provides this information for adults on how much physical activity you need to help build health and well-being.
Health Ed shows you how you can help your children achieve at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day for their health and well-being.
Why be active and how do I start? Find out with the Heart Foundation Exercise and Fitness guide.
Food and Drink
Worried about how to choose healthy options while eating out? This Live Lighter fact sheet gives tips on the healthier way to eat out.
This booklet from the Ministry of Health and Health Promotion Agency gives advice for parents, whānau and caregivers on the types of food children need to eat to be healthy. It also describes how children can be active in everyday life.
The Heart Foundation brings us this collection of mouth-watering recipes designed to take you on a tantalising tour of the Pacific Islands.
Whether you've been rushing about all day, heading to your child's school picnic or simply feel like a night off cooking - there are occasions that call for an instant 'no fuss' family dinner. Instead of swinging by your local fish and chip shop, consider your local supermarket - you'll have an easy, nourishing family meal in your hot little hands faster than your local chippie can say 'order up'! This Community Public Health flyer gives you lots of ideas for speedy 'takeaway' meals from your local supermarket.
In order to bring quick, easy and tasty dinners to even more New Zealanders, the My Food Bag family have created Bargain Box so that even more Kiwi’s can enjoy the goodness. For more details on how Bargain Box works, click here.
Packaged foods can be surprisingly high in salt, fat and sugar. FoodSwitch is a revolutionary new smartphone app that helps you make healthier food choices. And it's free!
This Health Promotion Agency downloadable poster shows you just how much sugar is in your post-match sports drink, and other drinks.
Are you bored by sandwiches and you're looking for something a bit more exciting to look forward to at lunchtime? Healthy Food Guide has put together these ideas for healthy grown-up lunches.
Parents Voice give us ideas for what to include and what to avoid in your child's lunchbox.
Whether you work in an office or at home, on a building site or on a plane, finding the time, energy, ingredients and inspiration to eat healthy meals can be a daily challenge. Dietitians Caitlin Reid and Claire Turnbull from the Healthy Food Guide show us the most important everyday food traps – at work, home and on the go – and give us some real and simple solutions.
The Fruit and Vege Co-op are offering market-fresh fruit and vegetables at wholesale prices delivered each week. Find a Fruit and Vege Co-op in your area.
Healthy Futures free printable guide to help you to make healthy food choices at the supermarket.
One man's journey to discover the bitter truth about sugar. Damon Gameau embarks on a unique experiment to document the effects of a high sugar diet on a healthy body, consuming only foods that are commonly perceived as 'healthy'.
Eat too much sugar, your teeth will rot. We've all had that message drummed into us by the dentist. But there's now evidence that sugar can also make you fat and increase your chances of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. Watch the online preview of Sunday here.
A short video showing just how easily you can consume almost 30 teaspoons of sugar in a day, without even realising it.
Do we need sports drinks for everyday sport? Find out what's behind the hype with this Health Promotion Agency info on what to drink during sport.
Teaching and encouraging healthy eating is a compulsory part of the school curriculum. Schools can undermine these classroom messages by having unhealthy food in canteens or tuck shops, by giving children sweets as classroom rewards, or selling them as fundraisers. Parents Voice shows you what you can do if you are unhappy with the food available at your child’s school.
Since having my children, I have learnt that it is necessary to have plenty of wholesome, nutritious snacks on hand and ready to go, not only for school lunches, but for weekend picnics and after-school snacks too.
Healthy Food Guide contributor Eleanor Ozich shares some of her kids' favourite recipes.
Healthy Fundraising
Stumped for healthy fundraising ideas? Twinkle Tooth might be the answer for your next primary school fundraiser.
Good nutrition and healthy eating practices in childhood are important in shaping lifelong behaviours. We also know that nutritious, balanced food improves children’s learning and behaviour. This Community and Public Health Healthy Events and Fundraisers Guide is designed to help school and event organisers maintain a positive food and drink environment that gives consistent, accurate messages about food and drinks.
Many schools, sports teams and clubs fundraise to raise money to purchase resources and equipment. Fundraising can be an opportunity to promote healthy lifestyles to the whole school community. Parents Voice give us a list of healthy fundraising ideas for your school.
Tired of the sausage sizzle but stumped and overwhelmed at the thought of change? We’ve got it covered! Healthy Futures is developing a Fundraising Kit with a step-by-step guide for running a healthy food fundraiser.
"Ecostore is excited to now offer a healthier alternative for your next fundraising project. Whether you’re a school, club, group or early childhood centre, we’d love to support your good cause."
Keeping Kids Healthy
"The ‘Food of the Week’ programme will have children cheering for broccoli, requesting a healthy lunch and telling you who grew your carrot."
- What's for Lunch? founder
This booklet from the Ministry of Health and Health Promotion Agency gives advice for parents, whānau and caregivers on the types of food children need to eat to be healthy. It also describes how children can be active in everyday life.
Why is sleep important? How much sleep does my child need? How can I improve my child's sleep? These questions are answered in 'Sleep tips for young children' from the Ministry of Health.
Is your child overweight or obese and inactive? Do you worry about their health? Consider joining Green Prescription (GRx) Active Families. It's free!
Movement is important from birth. Help your infant or toddler to be active, and they will learn and develop quickly. Sensory exploration, play and movement are how your child makes sense of the world. Help them out by giving them lots of opportunities to play and move. This Ministry of Health publication gives us information on activities for under 5s.
The Health Promotion Agency brings us lots of fun ideas to keep your family active. From playgrounds and parks, games, walks and the location of swimming pools.
Being active will help your child achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. Being active has many other health benefits and can be fun for the whole family. This Ministry of Health information gives us tips to help 2-5 year olds be more active.
Weight is a sensitive issue, even for small children. It is important your child does not feel they are being punished. The best way to do this is for the whole family/whānau to eat the same meals. It’s easier to eat healthy meals and snacks if healthier foods are in your house. The Ministry of Health gives us some healthy eating tips for 2-5 year olds.
Whether you've been rushing about all day, heading to your child's school picnic or simply feel like a night off cooking - there are occasions that call for an instant 'no fuss' family dinner. Instead of swinging by your local fish and chip shop, consider your local supermarket - you'll have an easy, nourishing family meal in your hot little hands faster than your local chippie can say 'order up'! This Community Public Health flyer gives you lots of ideas for speedy 'takeaway' meals from your local supermarket.
In order to bring quick, easy and tasty dinners to even more New Zealanders, the My Food Bag family have created Bargain Box so that even more Kiwi’s can enjoy the goodness. For more details on how Bargain Box works, click here.
Teaching and encouraging healthy eating is a compulsory part of the school curriculum. Schools can undermine these classroom messages by having unhealthy food in canteens or tuck shops, by giving children sweets as classroom rewards, or selling them as fundraisers. Parents Voice shows you what you can do if you are unhappy with the food available at your child’s school.
Since having my children, I have learnt that it is necessary to have plenty of wholesome, nutritious snacks on hand and ready to go, not only for school lunches, but for weekend picnics and after-school snacks too.
Healthy Food Guide contributor Eleanor Ozich shares some of her kids' favourite recipes.
Some parents and teachers use food to reward for ‘good’ behaviour. Unfortunately these rewards are often lollies or chocolate. Sweet foods are inexpensive, readily accessible - and children like them, but they are not good nutrition. Parents Voice lists some options for low or no cost alternative rewards for children.
Sponsorship of school activities, such as sporting events, curriculum activities or extra-curricula activities, may conflict with your school’s healthy eating messages.
Parents Voice advices on what sponsorship contracts schools could consider and what you can do if you have concerns about sponsorship at your school.
If the foods and drinks available to children during school trips are healthy options, it reinforces school messages about the importance of good nutrition.
Parents Voice shares what you can do to ensure your school provides nutritious food on school trips.
Parents Voice explains why you should care about what your school canteen or tuckshop provides, and what you can do if you'd like to see improvements.
Why not try a healthy non-food alternative next time you want to reward your children? Here are some ideas.
When we give children treats or rewards, they are often food related, such as lollies, chocolate, ice cream or their favourite takeaway. If you want to control your child’s weight gain then it is better to provide non-food-related rewards. Encourage family and whānau to do the same as well. Canterbury District Health Board gives us some treats and reward ideas.
You've been told your child is overweight. What now? Health Info provides guidelines to help you to support and manage your child's weight.
How do I know if my child is overweight? How does weight affect health? How can I help my child achieve a more healthy weight? Kids Health answers your questions.
LiveLighter provides this information for parents to help you determine if your child is overweight.
Policy and Culture Change
Good nutrition and healthy eating practices in childhood are important in shaping lifelong behaviours. We also know that nutritious, balanced food improves children’s learning and behaviour. This Community and Public Health Healthy Events and Fundraisers Guide is designed to help school and event organisers maintain a positive food and drink environment that gives consistent, accurate messages about food and drinks.
Many schools, sports teams and clubs fundraise to raise money to purchase resources and equipment. Fundraising can be an opportunity to promote healthy lifestyles to the whole school community. Parents Voice give us a list of healthy fundraising ideas for your school.
Teaching and encouraging healthy eating is a compulsory part of the school curriculum. Schools can undermine these classroom messages by having unhealthy food in canteens or tuck shops, by giving children sweets as classroom rewards, or selling them as fundraisers. Parents Voice shows you what you can do if you are unhappy with the food available at your child’s school.
Healthy Futures FREE templates to help you to initiate healthy change in your community.
"A workplace that supports wellbeing has staff who are more productive, happier and healthier. Employees spend 60% of their waking hours at work and this usually includes at least one meal time. Swapping sugar-sweetened beverages for low or no-sugar options is an easy way for employees to improve their health."
The Health Promotion Agency gives guidance on providing healthier beverage options in your workplace.
"The state school my boys attend implemented a Healthy Food Policy (HFP) to take effect at the beginning of Term 3, 2014. YES, this was my moment. Everybody has their soapbox issue. Mine is healthy food for children."
Healthy Food Guide writer Judith Yeabsley shares her story on how she campaigned to improve the food environment at her children's school.
"Walking, cycling and scooting to school offer children many benefits. Improved independence, physical and mental health, decision making, risk assessment and road safety skills, to name a few."
Greater Wellington Regional Council provide tools and resources for schools to promote safe and active travel.
These Children's Commissioner guidelines are for schools that want to have a successful food programme – whether they are just thinking about where to start, or wanting to improve an existing one. The guidelines aim to ensure any programme achieves the maximum possible health and educational benefits for all children.
Schools are required to promote healthy food and nutrition for all students, but don’t have to sell healthy foods or beverages. Parents Voice outlines school food guidelines and shares what you can do if you are concerned about your school's food environment.
"Ecostore is excited to now offer a healthier alternative for your next fundraising project. Whether you’re a school, club, group or early childhood centre, we’d love to support your good cause."
Guidelines and resources from the NZDA Wellington branch. The current aim is to reduce access to sugar sweetened beverages and junk food in council owned areas, schools and hospitals.
"We encourage all schools to become water only. This means making sure that water (and plain reduced fat milk) is the only drink in your school. Schools that have moved to being water only have seen that it benefits teaching and learning as well as student health and wellbeing."
Ministry of Education guidelines on how to become a water-only school.
An early-morning sugar fix and a Rhode Street School uniform don't go together any more, thanks to an agreement between the student council and several Dinsdale dairies. This stuff article outlines the Rhode Street School student council plan.
In 2006 the school began a series of small changes in the food and beverage environment which have resulted in significant weight loss among pupils – and a lot of other striking improvements in behaviour, attendance, health and learning achievements. That Sugar Film tells the Yendarra School story.
Workers’ health, safety and well-being are vital concerns to hundreds of millions of working people worldwide. But the issue extends even further beyond individuals and their families. It is of paramount importance to the productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises, communities, and to national and regional economies. This WHO publication provides a model for action for healthy workplaces.
These are guidelines to assist you in writing your school policy, it is up to your school which suggestions you incorporate into your particular document. We suggest you consult with others, including the principal of the school early in this process.
Health Professionals
Weight Management in 2–5 Year Olds is a practical Ministry of Health resource to equip health providers with the most up-to-date advice to monitor, assess and manage children who are overweight and obese.
Evidence-based technical information and best practice recommendations on nutrition and physical activity for health practitioners working in clinical and population health settings.
Guidelines and resources from the NZDA Wellington branch. The current aim is to reduce access to sugar sweetened beverages and junk food in council owned areas, schools and hospitals.
The philosophy of Garden to Table (GTT) is to encourage children to learn to grow, harvest and cook their own fresh, seasonal vegetables, thus encouraging higher vegetable consumption. This project aims to evaluate the programme in four low decile Wellington schools to ascertain whether it improves the nutritional quality of children’s diets, nutrition knowledge and willingness to try new foods.
The Hub contains social science research which has been undertaken, commissioned or at least partly funded by central government in New Zealand. When we refer to 'social science research' we have defined it as the study of human action and interaction which has been done in a systematic way, and may include qualitative and quantitative research.
Health Promotion Agency provides tools and resources about nutrition and activity to support people who work with families and communities.
Rethink Sugary Drink is a partnership between 12 health and community organisations. Resources for professionals, all resources are available to download and print.
26 May 2016 – The report of the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity formed the basis for a side event, hosted by Ghana, Malaysia and Mexico, along with New Zealand and Zambia during the Sixty-ninth World Health Assembly.
This WHO guideline provides updated global, evidence-informed recommendations on the intake of free sugars to reduce the risk of NCDs in adults and children, with a particular focus on the prevention and control of unhealthy weight gain and dental caries.
The New Zealand Medical Association has released a policy briefing—Tackling Obesity—that recommends a suite of measures to be considered as part of an approach to tackling New Zealand’s obesity epidemic.