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NZC - Health and Physical Education Phase 1 (Years 0–3)

This page provides the draft progress outcome and teaching sequence for Phase 1 (Years 0-3) of the Health and Physical Education Learning Area. This is now available for wider feedback and familiarisation. The current Health and Physical Education curriculum remains in effect until 1 January 2027.

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About this resource

This page provides the draft Phase 1 (Years 0-3) Health and Physical Education Learning Area. This is now available for wider feedback and familiarisation.  The current Health and Physical Education curriculum remains in effect until 1 January 2027 and can be found here The New Zealand Curriculum - Health and Physical Education.

Health Education

Knowledge

The facts, concepts, principles, and theories to teach.

Practices

The skills, strategies, and applications to teach.

During Year 1

During Year 2

During Year 3

During Year 1

During Year 2

During Year 3

Bodies | Minds

Growing bodies

  • Physical development changes occur from before birth through later life, and these changes can be influenced by genetics, environment, and lifestyle.

Nutrition

  • National nutrition guidelines highlight key food groups (e.g. fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins). 
  • It is important to regularly hydrate with water.

Self-care

  • Saying no and asking for support can help keep people safe and well.
  • Building environments where people feel seen and not judged can make it easier to speak up even when it is hard.
  • Healthy bodies and minds need caring people, good sleep, nourishing food, movement, and a safe place to feel secure.
  • People engage in hygiene practices (e.g. healthy habits — nose blowing, washing hands, brushing teeth), eat well, and stay active to create lifelong habits.
  • Clothing helps keep our bodies comfortable. We can wear more clothes when we feel cold and take off layers when we feel hot.
  • Interests and strengths (e.g. hobbies and personality traits) contribute to personal characteristics. 
  • How a person views themselves (self-image) can be contributed to by their personal characteristics, features, or qualities.
  • Mistakes are a normal part of life. Making mistakes builds resilience and supports learning.

Growing bodies

  • Sleep, nutrition, and movement affect growth and body function, and this can vary depending on a person’s age, lifestyle, and health needs.

Nutrition

  • Balanced meals contain a variety of food groups that provide essential nutrients for growth, energy, and brain function.
  • Nutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water.
  • The way food, water, rest, and sleep support health are not fixed, it varies depending on a person’s age, lifestyle, and the physiological demands on growth, stress, or recovery.

Self-care

  • Even small emotional shifts can change how people act around others, affecting how people speak, listen, and connect in different situations (e.g. feeling shy).
  • Simple calming strategies like slow breathing or talking to someone can shift how the brain processes stress, helping people feel more capable and less overwhelmed in tough moments. 
  • The way people sleep, eat, move, and care for their bodies does not just affect one aspect of health, these habits interact in surprising ways, influencing how people think, feel, and fight off illness over time.
  • Substances like medicines and cleaning products can cause harm when used in the wrong way, and understanding labels and instructions helps to reduce risks.
  • Self-image is shaped by experiences, feedback, and emotions and can influence how people think, feel, and act in different situations

Growing bodies

  • As people grow, their bodies change in shape and strength at different rates, and these changes reflect how food, movement, and inherited factors influence the development of bones, muscles, and coordination.

Nutrition

  • Energy and focus are influenced by what is eaten and drunk. The body’s ability to process nutrients, the quality of sleep, and the timing of meals also play important roles.
  • Even small imbalances in nutrition can make it harder to concentrate or stay physically active.
  • Advertising and packaging use persuasive techniques that can influence food choices, including promoting products high in sugar, salt, or fat.

Self-care

  • Learning to manage feelings and understand others helps people build relationships, and this is shaped by their surroundings and experiences.
  • Physical states such as fatigue, hunger, and illness do not just affect how people feel, they can alter brain function, emotional regulation and social behaviour.
  • Nutrition, movement, and hygiene practices support body systems, emotional regulation, and healthy physical and emotional development.
  • Positive self-image supports emotional regulation and social connection, and is influenced by how people interpret their strengths, challenges, and appearance.
  • Recognising many changes are experienced through physical growth over a lifetime
  • Exploring qualities and categories of food that help us grow
  • Practising role-playing scenarios involving saying no and asking for help
  • Developing a daily hygiene routine prior to eating and after toileting
  • Exploring personal characteristics (strengths, talents etc.) and identifying how characteristics are unique or shared 
  • Identifying strengths, successes, and enjoyable activities
  • Investigating how sleep, exposure to daylight, physical activity, outdoor opportunities, and healthy eating contribute to good health
  • Developing self-awareness, emotional regulation, and health concepts to understand how small emotional changes and everyday habits affect wellbeing
  • Developing calming strategies to support and reflect on how to connect with others and exploring how sleep, movement, and nutrition influence how people think, feel, and cope
  • Investigating how encouragement and self-talk influence emotional responses and support positive self-image
  • Investigating how growth and physical development vary between people by examining the role of nutrition, physical activity, and genetics
  • Caring for the body involves more than routine habits; it requires understanding how movement, nutrition, rest, and hygiene interact to support strength, health, and the body’s changing capability over time
  • Developing critical thinking skills to recognise how advertising and packaging use persuasive techniques
  • Developing reflective thinking skills to discuss feelings and emotions through role play
  • Recognising everyday habits that impact on emotional, and physical development
  • Using reflection to explore personal strengths

Relationships

Self and others 

  • People live in different kinds of families and homes, and learning to understand and respect these differences can take time, especially when someone’s way of living feels unfamiliar.
  • Listening, sharing, and using kind words helps people get along, but sometimes it is hard to do, especially when someone feels upset, left out, or does not know how to say what they are feeling.
  • Friendships can make people feel good, but sometimes friends feel left out, have disagreements, or do not know how to show they care, and learning how to handle these feelings takes time.

Boundaries and staying safe

  • Asking for permission to borrow something from a friend means having to accept the answer could be no.
  • Some people (e.g. trusted adults, friends, police, teachers) can be trusted to help others stay safe and provide support when it is needed.
  • Some secrets, such as planning a surprise birthday party, may feel okay to keep, while others (e.g. being asked not to talk about someone being hurt) can cause feelings of worry or uncertainty and should be shared with a trusted adult.

Self and others

  • Friendships can be strengthened through kind actions and shared experiences but misunderstandings may still arise when people interpret respect in different ways (see English Oral Language).
  • People can look, move, sound and act in different ways. Some of these differences come from medical conditions or disabilities and all people should be treated with respect and kindness.  
  • Trusted adults can offer valuable support, yet children may still hesitate to reach out, especially when they feel unsure how to explain their situation, fear negative consequences, or worry about not being believed.

Boundaries and staying safe

  • Some hurtful behaviours like exclusion or gossip may be dismissed (e.g. as just joking), but they can deeply affect a person’s sense of belonging and safety.
  • Protective behaviours, such as learning to say no or ask for help, can be empowering, but these actions may feel risky or uncomfortable.

Self and others

  • Genuine respect for ways that people are different requires deeper reflection. It often means examining the different beliefs and assumptions shaped by peoples’ backgrounds, upbringing and social environment.
  • Interpersonal strengths such as active listening and problem solving contribute to social wellbeing by fostering trust, cooperation, and respectful communication.
  • Social dynamics such as collaboration, conflict, kindness and competition, influence relationship quality by impacting trust, belonging, and emotional safety. 
  • Support from trusted adults during relationship challenges can help young people process emotions, develop coping strategies (e.g. deep breathing), and access practical help.
  • Resilience involves adapting to setbacks by using emotional regulation, problem-solving, and support networks to recover and continue engaging positively.

Boundaries and staying safe

  • Using clear communication and noticing when others feel uncomfortable helps people feel safe and build respectful relationships.
  • Seeking and giving consent ensures shared understanding and respect, reducing the risk of harm and supporting safe, equitable interactions.
  • People should ask for permission and give clear answers when making shared decisions.
  • Bullying is a form of aggressive or threatening behaviour that is usually intentional, involves a power imbalance, and is repeated over time.
  • Using storytelling, interviews, or visual mapping to explore how family structures are shaped
  • Performing role-playing scenarios featuring sharing, taking turns, and solving disagreements in positive ways, using kind language to build and maintain friendships
  • Developing social communication skills that involve expressing needs respectfully, recognising others’ boundaries, and responding appropriately to different outcomes in friendships
  • Developing personal safety skills by identifying unsafe situations, recognising internal warning signs, and practising help-seeking behaviours with trusted adults
  • Practising the use of kind words, sharing, taking turns, and listening to others to build friendships and develop social skills that support cooperation, empathy, and positive relationships
  • Performing role-playing scenarios that involve applying protective behaviours, such as saying no and asking for help when experiencing hurtful behaviour
  • Developing social awareness and assertive communication skills to recognise exclusion or unkind behaviour, respond with kindness and confidence, and take safe actions to support others
  • Reflecting on personal assumptions and exploring diverse perspectives
  • Developing listening and problem-solving skills further to build trust and work well with others, while being aware of group dynamics and responding in ways that support respectful relationships
  • Developing learning strategies for recovering from setbacks using emotional regulation, problem-solving, and support networks which include trusted adults when relationships are challenging
  • Using clear and respectful communication to encourage safe environments through role plays
  • Recognising situations where consent is needed and practising how to ask for and give permission clearly and respectfully
  • Using role plays about shared decisions-making, expressing boundaries, and supporting safe, fair, and respectful interactions with others

Physical Education

Knowledge

The facts, concepts, principles, and theories to teach.

Practices

The skills, strategies, and applications to teach.

During Year 1

During Year 2

During Year 3

During Year 1

During Year 2

During Year 3

Movement skills

(Choreographed movement)

Choreographed movement (e.g. te ao kori)

  • The body can form a variety of shapes (e.g. small, tall, wide, flat, long) by adjusting posture and limb positions. 
  • Movement uses different methods of travel, direction, speed (e.g. fast/slow), and dynamics (e.g. smooth, sharp, sustained). 
  • Maintaining stillness requires muscle engagement and body awareness.
  • Muscles help the body to move and bend.

Choreographed movement (e.g. te ao kori)

  • A range of actions, including traveling, jumping, turning, and stillness, are fundamental to choreographed movement.
  • Pathways can be explored by moving in different ways, such as straight, zigzag, curved, forward, backward, sideways, and diagonal.
  • Movement complexity can be increased by using different mediums, including changes in level (low, medium, high), fluency (smooth, flow, control), and dynamics (sharp, soft, fast, slow).
  • Body actions, shapes, and sequences can be used to communicate ideas, emotions, or narratives.
  • Actions and pathways can be combined to demonstrate different speeds and levels within a movement sequence.
  • Increasing flexibility through stretching requires awareness of the body’s limits, stillness in stress, and avoiding bouncing to prevent strain and support safe, effective muscle lengthening.

Choreographed movement (e.g. te ao kori)

  • Creating and holding a variety of body shapes with control and balance
  • Running, hopping, and skipping using different pathways (e.g. forwards, backwards, lateral, round) 
  • Moving with varying speeds, starting and stopping safely
  • Linking actions that require strength and flexibility, such as jumping and holding shapes
  • Warming up the body using mobility exercises
  • Moving to music with a partner, mirroring, matching, and including a moment of stillness

Choreographed movement (e.g. te ao kori)

  • Travelling, jumping, turning, and holding stillness in response to cues or music
  • Moving in different ways along straight, zigzag, curved forward, backward, sideways, and diagonal pathways within a defined space
  • Performing a sequence of movements with smooth transitions, maintaining flow and control
  • Varying movements to demonstrate sharp, soft, fast, and slow actions as directed
  • Performing a duet that includes mirroring, matching, and one moment of stillness, responding to music with timing and coordination

Movement skills

(Balance, strength and flexibility)

Balance, strength, and flexibility

  • Balance and control require strong posture (e.g. standing upright with a tight tummy and chin up). 
  • Balance is a shape held still for three seconds.
  • Co-ordination is when two or more body parts move together at the same time.
  • Flexibility helps the body move more freely and reach further in different directions.

Balance, strength, and flexibility 

  • Warming up before physical activity prepares the body for movement by gradually increasing heart rate, circulation, and muscle temperature, helping to improve performance and reduce the risk of injury.
  • Posture is supported by active core engagement and correct alignment of the head, shoulders, and hips. 
  • Muscles work with our bodies and joints to help the body move, bend, and stretch during everyday actions like walking, jumping, and reaching.
  • Performing a roll safely involves tucking chin into chest and protecting head and neck.
  • Sequence structure is the organised combination of balances and travelling movements, framed by a clear starting and finishing position (e.g. a routine starts in a tall stretch, includes linked movements, such as rolls, balances, or jumps and finishes in a strong, still pose).

Balance, strength, and flexibility

  • Balancing using large body parts (e.g. front, back, shoulders)
  • Balancing using small body parts (e.g. hands, feet, elbows)
  • Balancing while creating shapes (e.g. straddle, star, y-shape)
  • Linking arm and leg movements smoothly when performing rolls, jumps, or travel actions (e.g. egg roll, pencil roll, teddy roll)
  • Jumping (e.g. star jumps, straight jumps, tuck jumps)
  • Stretching into shapes that show flexibility (e.g. reaching, bending, or extending limbs), including movements that explore ranges of motion (e.g. lunges, bridges, wide arm swings)

Balance, strength, and flexibility 

  • Maintaining a strong posture in balances
  • Holding a balance pose using a variety of body parts and levels and transitioning between poses
  • Linking upper and lower body movements smoothly in a sequence that includes rolls, jumps, and balances
  • Varying the speed of movements in a sequence
  • Holding extended shapes and transitioning between movements 
  • Performing a gymnastic sequence that includes balances and travelling movement on the floor or bench, with a clear start and finish

Movement skills

(Relays, games and invasion games)

Relays and games, including Māori games (e.g. tereina/train relay tag game)

  • Key features of efficient movement (e.g. walking and running) include strength and good posture.
  • Exercising safely includes spatial awareness, following instructions, and interacting appropriately with others. 
  • Preparing the body for movement through warm-up activities such as jogging and mobility exercises helps increase circulation and loosen muscles and joints.
  • Walking, jogging, and skipping are used to move across varied terrain during cross country running.
  • When the body exercises it gets warmer.
  • Sipping water during exercise helps regulate body temperature and support breathing.

Introduction to invasion games (e.g. mini football)

  • Invasion involves attack and defence.
  • Effective receiving and sending of objects or movement depends on correct body positioning, including balanced posture, aligned stance, and controlled use of limbs. 
  • Tracking the path of a ball helps determine when and where to move, supporting accurate timing and positioning during movement and object control. 
  • Different parts of the foot are used to manipulate objects (e.g. inside, outside, sole, left, right).
  • The rules of basic modifiable games (e.g. playing within the pitch/space allocated, if the ball leaves the playing space possession moves to the opposing team, play the ball and not the player).
  • Different places to stand to defend or prevent opposition receiving the pass.

Invasion games (e.g. netball/Kiwi Ferns)

  • Different passes have distinct techniques and are used for specific situations and distances (e.g. chest, shoulder, and bounce pass in netball).
  • Accurate passing and receiving over short and longer distances depend on correct technique and body positioning. 
  • Signal to receive a ball when in space and moving away from a marker.
  • Attack involves attempting to score points. Defence involves intercepting passes by reading the game and using strong body positioning to mark opponents and limit their options.

Relays and games, including Māori games (e.g. tereina/train relay tag game)

  • Walking and running with good technique, changing in speed and direction and stopping safely
  • Moving across country terrain by walking or jogging with balance and spatial awareness
  • Jumping, hopping, and skipping with bent knees for safe landings and arm movements to support propulsion

Introduction to invasion games (e.g. mini football)

  • Adjusting pass strength based on distance
  • Dribbling with changes in speed, direction, and control
  • Linking, dribbling, and passing movements together to move forward towards a goal
  • Using dominant and non-dominant hands or feet to send, receive, and dribble
  • Shooting at a target with control and accuracy
  • Standing in different places to defend 
  • Staying on the toes to move forwards, backwards, and side to side

Invasion games (e.g. netball/Kiwi Ferns)

  • Passing and receiving chest passes, shoulder passes, and bounce passes with accuracy, first over short distances and then over longer distances 
  • Passing and catching without travelling (e.g. footwork rule)
  • Selecting the appropriate pass for different situations (e.g. chest pass for short distance, shoulder pass for longer distance)
  • Demonstrating timing to intercept by moving quickly and reaching out at the right time during modified games or activities
  • Dodging to get away from the opposition (linked to agility)
  • Communicating when available to receive the ball in space away from the opposition
  • Using different body positions for first stage marking and defence
  • Sending, receiving, moving into space, and working with others in possession games 
  • Avoiding contact and using controlled footwork to stay within the rules of the game

Movement skills

(Target games and net and wall games)

Target games (e.g. beanbag toss, ring toss, obstacle kick) 

  • Widening the stance by moving feet further apart increases stability and balance.
  • Co-ordinating eye and body movements is essential for throwing, catching, and kicking. 
  • Using a run-up can help to propel a projectile further. 
  • The foot has distinct parts (inside, outside, sole, left, and right) which can be used purposefully to control movement and direction in games.

Net and wall games (e.g. padder tennis) 

  • Anticipating a ball involves tracking and body readiness, reading its speed and direction early, staying low, and positioning hands or equipment to respond efficiently.
  • Self and partner feed techniques involve controlled delivery of the ball, using consistent force, angle, and timing. 
  • The size of the surface you use, like a hand, foot, or racquet, affects control and accuracy. 
  • A rally is more than one return. It is a continuous exchange where players send and receive the ball back and forth to keep play going.
  • Boundary lines of a playing space help to explain ‘ball out of play’ and introduce basic rules for ‘out’.
  • Counting is important to keep track of a score with a partner.
  • Flexibility helps you stretch, reach, and adjust your body to return a pass or shot — especially when the ball is off-target or moving quickly.

Target games (e.g. beanbag toss, ring toss, obstacle kick) 

  • Aiming, striking, or sending objects towards a target
  • Performing underarm throws, rolls, kicks using different equipment (e.g. beanbags, balls) 
  • Improving throwing or kicking technique by combining preparation, action, release, and follow through 
  • Starting and finishing sessions with warm-up and cool-down activities
  • Adjusting posture to maintain balance when walking on uneven surfaces

Net and wall games (e.g. padder tennis) 

  • Tracking the flight of a ball and moving towards it
  • Staying on the toes to move forwards, backwards, and side to side
  • Balancing and bouncing a ball on a racquet and striking a ball to the floor 
  • Changing direction to return a ball and using feet to push off and change direction
  • Combining skills to participate in a rally
  • Playing modified games to encourage front of court and back of court sending and returning
  • Using a racquet to send and receive a ball over a short distance with a partner

Movement skills

(Striking and fielding)

Striking and fielding (e.g. T ball)

  • A strong foot strike helps send a ball in the right direction. Revisiting this skill from target games builds confidence in kicking and striking with control. 
  • Watching the ball closely and moving the hands to meet it helps with catching, hitting, and aiming. 
  • Using hands and feet together helps with actions like kicking, running, and throwing. 
  • The role of a batter, including hitting, where and when to run, and how to score points.
  • The role of a bowler, including throwing, catching, and fielding.
  • The role of fielders is to try to stop the ball and return it quickly. They stand in different places to help their team against the batters.
  • Simple game rules including pitch formation, scoring, and basic tactics.

Striking and fielding (e.g. T ball)

  • Underarm throwing or passing involves a low, stable stance with knees slightly bent and weight forward. 
  • Overarm throwing involves rotating the hips and shoulders before releasing the ball. 
  • Striking off a tee starts with correct grip, stance, and swing technique. 
  • The correct ready position for catching a small ball (e.g. standing with feet shoulder-width apart, hands open ready to catch). 
  • There are basic applications of rules and conventions in striking and fielding games (e.g. not being out if waiting safely at a base).
  • The attacking team attempts to score points by running around the bases. 
  • The defending team tries to limit points scored by getting batters or runners out.

Striking and fielding (e.g. T ball)

  • Striking with a foot and hand using a controlled action, focusing on balance and aiming at a target
  • Using a strong foot strike to send a ball in the intended direction
  • Practising hand–eye coordination to hit, catch, or stop a ball, watching it closely and moving hands or feet to meet it
  • Coordinating hands and feet when running, throwing, or striking 
  • Rolling or throwing the ball to a partner and hitting it with a bat or hand
  • Running between bases after hitting the ball and counting how many bases are reached 
  • Standing in different fielding positions to stop the ball and return it to the bowler or base
  • Participating in scoring games where points are earned by hitting targets or reaching bases

Striking and fielding (e.g. T ball)

  • Fielding — being ready to catch, stopping the ball with different body parts, and throwing accurately 
  • Gripping the bat correctly, using a balanced stance, and swinging to strike a stationary ball off a tee or pitch
  • Underarm and overarm throwing to a partner or target, including stepping with the opposite foot and following through
  • Tracking the trajectory of a ball in flight or across the floor and moving to stop and retrieve it
  • Catching a ball in flight
  • Catching a bouncing ball
  • Switching between batting, fieldling, and base running roles within the rules of the game

Movement skills

(Swimming)

Swimming

  • Basic pool rules and water safety practices are essential in and around water environments, including beaches, lakes, and waterways.
  • Danger signs, flags, and environmental alerts help keep participants safe during water activities.
  • Activities like kayaking, waka ama, swimming, and paddleboarding require appropriate safety gear (e.g. personal floatation devices). 
  • There are correct kicking and arm techniques for front crawl, including breathing basics.
  • A personal floatation device (PFD) or lifejacket is required for everyone onboard a powered boat or paddle craft. They must be checked and worn correctly.
  • Safe entry and exit techniques vary by activity, such as sit-and-slide for pools and stable movements for kayaks and waka.
  • Basic water survival skills include treading water, staying afloat, and exiting safely.
  • Preparation for swimming includes understanding buoyancy, flotation, and the importance of streamlined movement.

Swimming

  • Performing safe water entry and exit techniques, including sit-and-slide, pool edge exits, and kayak/waka transitions
  • Practising basic swimming skills such as push and glide (front and back), paddling, and kicking with support
  • Practising treading water, star float, and rotating between front and back positions to stay afloat
  • Using kicking and arm techniques for front crawl

Outdoor Education

  • Being outdoors encourages curiosity, exploration, and personal growth.
  • Following rules when in a natural environment is important for staying safe and enjoying nature.
  • Nature-based learning inspires a lifelong connection to the environment.
  • Following rules when outdoors includes taking care of the natural environment (e.g. not leaving rubbish — tiakitanga).
  • Appropriate clothing and footwear vary depending on environmental conditions, activity type, and safety considerations.
  • Learning in the outdoors creates memorable and meaningful experiences.
  • In outdoor environments, there are signs and symbols to support locational awareness and plan routes.
  • Exploring natural environments safely and enjoyably by following agreed safety rules and procedures
  • Applying respectful and sustainable practices during outdoor activities
  • Identifying appropriate clothing and footwear for outdoor activities 
  • Using maps and signs to navigate outdoor environments to determine location and plan safe routes