Healthy Active Learning

Improving the wellbeing of tamariki.  

Healthy Active Learning is a joint government initiative between Sport New Zealand and the Ministries of Health and Education that seeks to improve the wellbeing of children and young people, through healthy eating and drinking and quality physical activity. 

As a Regional Sports Trust we partner with Sport New Zealand and Te Whatu Ora Taranaki as part of our own strategy for young people. We are committed to supporting 31 Taranaki schools to achieve six outcomes:

  1. Schools to understand and recognise the value of the Health and Physical Education and Hauora curriculum 
  2. Schools support and promote quality play, sport and physical activity opportunities 
  3. Teachers are confident and capable in delivering the Health and Physical Education and Hauora curriculum 
  4. Schools support and promote a healthy food and drink environment 
  5. Schools make well informed decisions when engaging with external providers 
  6. Schools are connected to their wider community, including whanau and local health and physical activity providers 

While this is a national initiative, it is tailored to meet the strengths, needs and aspirations of each school community.  Success will look very different for each school.​​​​​​​

What are the three components of Health Active Learning?

Taranaki Healthy Active Learning Schools 2021 - 2024

Manukorihi Intermediate

Puketapu School 

St Joseph’s School Waitara

Waitara Central School

Waitara East School 

Westown School

Fitzroy School 

Huirangi School

Avon School 

​​Kaponga Primary School

Pembroke School ​​​​​​​

Inglewood Primary School

Rahotu Primary School

St Joseph's School New Plymouth

Moturoa School

Devon Intermediate​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Hā​​​​​​​wera Primary

Manaia School

Waverley Primary

Whenuakura School​​​​​​​

Kakaramea School

West End School​​​​​​​

Vogeltown School 

Mangorei School

​​​​​​​Stratford Primary

Moturoa School

Devon Intermediate

Coastal Taranaki School

Normanby Primary

St Joseph's School Pātea

Amy Buick

Healthy Active Learning Lead

021 246 2692

amy.buick@sporttaranaki.org.nz

Amy has been involved in education as a primary school teacher and leader for the last 16 years in Canterbury and Taranaki. She is passionate about Health and PE and making a positive difference for our tamariki and kaiako. Amy is excited to be part of the Sport Taranaki team.






Jason Avery

Healthy Active Learning Advisor

027 273 3010

jason.avery@sporttaranaki.org.nz

Jason has been involved in the Taranaki education sector for the past 20 years, including roles as Associate Principal at Devon Intermediate and Deputy Principal at Mangorei School. He has also worked in the professional and community rugby environments in England and Taranaki. He is excited to be part of this kaupapa combining his passions for education and hauora.

Kayla Jones

Health Development Advisor

027 3843 277

kayla.jones@sporttaranaki.org.nz

Before her role with Healthy Active Learning Kayla worked with Whanau Pakari, supporting tamariki, rangatahi and their whanau with their healthy lifestyle behaviors. Kayla enjoys supporting young people to feel happy and healthy from a holistic, non-judgemental, and strength-based perspective.




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Mattie Thomas

Healthy Active Learning Advisor

027 711 3982

mattie.thomas@sporttaranaki.org.nz

Mattie has a background in education and coaching mainly as a classroom teacher at Highlands Intermediate and experience working with Taranaki Cricket Association over the past seven years. Through this time he has played and coached cricket professionally overseas with clubs in Scotland, Holland, and England. He is still playing for the Taranaki cricket side. Mattie is extremely excited to work alongside kura and kaiako within the Taranaki region to help grow an area he is passionate about. He is also grateful to have such a wonderful team to help implement the mahi and the shared outcomes of the role.  

Megan Hitchcock

Healthy Active Learning Advisor

Phone: 021 822 082

megan.hitchcock@sporttaranaki.org.nz


Prior to joining the Healthy Active Learning team, Megan taught for many years at Sacred Heart Girls’ College New Plymouth in the Intermediate and Secondary School areas of Health, Physical Education and Science. She has also taught in Wellington and London. Megan is excited to join the vibrant team at Sport Taranaki to help support kaiako in the region. She aims to help empower students to make informed decisions, fostering lifelong habits around hauora, contributing to healthy active communities together.  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Case Studies