"It's important that young people understand the benefits of regular physical activity and develop their skills if we are to have a healthier and more active society," Trevor Mallard said.
"Research indicates that early participation in quality physical activity not only increases health and wellbeing in the short term, it increases the likelihood of children leading active lifestyles and reaching their sporting potential, as they grow into adulthood.

Physical activity and learning in schools
New Zealand research data shows that overall physical activity levels of children and young people are declining. A growing proportion of children
and adolescents are not active enough to gain health benefits.
This initiative is designed to help address this issue by increasing the focus on physical activity in the education setting. There's a compelling evidence base that supports the value of physical activity interventions within the education sector. For example, the World Health Organization best practice guidelines on physical activity recommend the implementation of physical activity programmes by trained teachers in the school curriculum.

Our schools are self-managing and determine their curriculum within and beyond the requirements of national regulation at the local level. They plan their teaching and learning programmes to support the needs of their particular students.

Schools' response to this physical activity initiative will complement their current health and physical education programme and will be soundly based on evidence of what works to improve fitness and attitudes to physical activity, and improves learning outcomes overall.

Family responsibility and community support
Of course parents, whanau and communities have a vital part to play in children's health and wellbeing.

The health and physical education curriculum provides a framework for
comprehensive programmes that are very much improved when school
communities and New Zealand society as a whole supports their
implementation.

Making decisions is an important part of life and learning. Having a programme that helps schools, teachers and students focus on the importance of physical activity is one way of making sure kids have good information and understand their options before making choices now that will be good for them, and not limit their options or wellbeing, in later life.

Consultation with schools and other groups
The Ministry of Education and Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) will consult with key sector groups over the next few months about the
implementation of this initiative. It will be supported by SPARC's Active
Schools strategy which is planned for implementation in 2005.

SPARC works with schools, community clubs, sports organisations, iwi,
regional sports trusts and local authorities to create opportunities for
all New Zealanders to be active and reach their potential in their chosen
sports. Information about KiwiSport, PushPlay and other programmes is on
their website-see our links section for more information.

The best kinds of exercise for each child
Although research tells us that a growing number of children and adolescents are not active enough to gain health benefits, the initiative isn't just about obesity or children's weight, and it doesn't mean that every student will have to do an extra hour of physical activity each week. The initiative is aimed at making sure all children have opportunities to get involved in the kinds of exercise that are best for them. It's not about being "fat" or being "skinny" or labelling people in those ways, but about making sure everyone has the opportunity to be as well and self-confident as they can be.

Learning about health doesn't only happen in the part of the school day that is labelled health and physical education. A school's whole approach to health, such as the range of food available at the tuckshop, and a healthy broader school environment, is very important in developing students' abilities to make long-term healthy lifestyle choices. Learning how to be well and healthy and confident is an important part of education, and research is showing us how important physical activity is for children's health and wellbeing overall, including how it can improve their learning in other subjects.

Enjoying physical activity
In announcing the physical activity initiative, Trevor Mallard said, "It's important that young children are given the skills and confidence so they can actually enjoy taking part in physical activity, rather than trying to avoid it at every opportunity."

The Health and Physical Education curriculum statement emphasises the benefits of encouraging young people to develop a sense of their own capability and effectiveness.

Confident students are more likely to be motivated to promote and nurture
their own and other people's well-being.

Trevor Mallard
MINISTER OF EDUCATION
MINISTER FOR SPORT AND RECREATION