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NZC - Health and Physical Education Phase 2 (Years 4–6)

This page provides the draft progress outcome and teaching sequence for Phase 2 (Years 4-6) 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 2 (Years 4-6) 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 4

During Year 5

During Year 6

During Year 4

During Year 5

During Year 6

Bodies | Minds

Growing bodies

  • The way different body parts grow can reflect complex biological patterns rather than a uniform process (e.g. foot size, hair process).
  • Internal developmental factors contribute to individual differences in behaviour, emotional responses, and social development (e.g. a child’s temperature may influence how they respond to frustration).

Nutrition

  • The impact of nutrition, hydration, and rest on physical strength and health can vary depending on individual needs, lifestyle factors, and environmental conditions.
  • Eating healthy food, drinking water, and getting enough sleep can help people feel better, think clearly, and have energy.

Self-care

  • Good self-care practices help proactively support mental, emotional, and physical well-being, build resilience against stress, and enhance overall quality of life.
  • Strategies like deep breathing, physical activity, or seeking support from a trusted adult can support people to cope well in stressful situations. 
  • People can experience strong emotions such as happiness, excitement, sadness and love that affect the way they behave in different situations.
  • Behaviour can vary depending on a person’s coping strategies, support systems, and past experiences:
    • fight — confront — muscles, tense, heart rate increases, and adrenaline surges to help defend
    • flight — escape — run or avoid danger
    • freeze — stay still — feeling numb or unable to move or act. A survival mechanism when fight and flight are not possible or safe.
  • A moderate level of stress can sharpen concentration and improve performance (e.g. getting nervous before a school play helps to focus on remembering lines and speaking clearly).
  • The ability to channel moderate stress through strategies like goal setting or positive self-talk can influence not just performance, but how people adapt to pressure over time.
  • The effectiveness of hygiene practices in preventing the spread of germs can depend on consistency, access to resources, and understanding of how infections are transmitted.
  • Medicines can help people feel better when used correctly but can be unsafe if taken without adult guidance or without following instructions.

Puberty

  • Puberty does not happen the same way for everyone. How and when physical changes, like growth or hormone shifts, start can depend on things like genetics, health, and environment.
  • People go through puberty in different ways, and changes like growing taller or feeling new emotions can be shaped by things like family traits, health, and life experiences.

Nutrition

  • A balanced diet supports immune function, stabilises mood, and enhances cognitive performance, making healthy eating a key factor in both physical and mental resilience.
  • Fizzy drinks often contain a lot of sugar. They can harm teeth and are not good for overall health when consumed too often.

Self-care

  • Changes in routine, school, or friendships can affect how people feel, and it’s okay to ask for help. 
  • Healthy habits like sleep, exercise, and talking to trusted people can help manage stress positively and support emotional wellbeing.
  • Intense emotions such as anxiety, embarrassment, or being overwhelmed can activate the brain’s stress response, triggering fight, flight, or freeze reactions.
  • Using strategies such as deep breathing, grounding techniques, physical movement, or seeking support from a trusted adult can help when people are feeling anxious or worried. 
  • Germs are tiny organisms that can cause illness. They spread through direct contact, surfaces, shared items, and unnoticed interactions.
  • Medicines must be used safely by checking with a trusted adult and reading labels to understand correct dosage, purpose, and potential risks.
  • Body image and self-perception are often shaped by social feedback, cultural messages, and personal experiences.

Puberty

  • Menstruation is a natural process where the lining of the uterus breaks down and leaves the body through the vagina. People manage menstruation in different cultural and social contexts.
  • Emotional changes may occur during menstruation and there are strategies for self-care, like rest, gentle exercise, healthy eating, and seeking support from trusted adults.
  • Menstruation occurs alongside other pubertal changes, such as breast development, growth spurts, and body hair growth, and strategies (e.g. rest and hydration) can manage discomfort.
  • Physical changes during puberty can include sperm production, increased height, muscle growth, voice deepening, and the appearance of body hair.
  • Emotional changes during development can include mood swings, increased sensitivity, and a growing awareness of body image and social relationships.

Nutrition

  • The impact of a nutrient-rich diet on immunity, stress, and cognition depends on the type, timing, and balance of nutrients consumed — deficiencies in key nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and amino acids can impair cell repair and brain function even when overall energy intake is adequate.
  • Emotional wellbeing and cognitive functioning are influenced by physical needs such as nutrition, hydration, and sleep.

Self-care

  • Each fight, flight, or freeze response is linked to the nervous system’s activation of stress hormones which influence emotional reactions, such as fear, anger, or withdrawal.
  • Behaviour can be affected by positive emotions such as happiness, excitement and love.  Empathy for others involves moderating behaviour appropriately. 
  • Strategies such as healthy routines, problem-solving, and seeking support can help build resilience and manage emotional challenges.
  • Different substances (e.g. alcohol, tobacco, vaping, and illegal drugs) affect the body and mind in various ways, and the level of harm depends on factors such as frequency of use, age, and context.
  • Vaping can seriously harm the lungs, brain, and overall health; understanding the risks helps people make safer choices.
  • Peer influence can affect decisions about substance use and understanding different refusal strategies (e.g. saying no in a firm assertive way, walking away, seeking support) can help people make safe and informed choices.
  • Comparing growth patterns using visual tools to identify that growth is not always uniform
  • Practising strategies like journaling, storytelling, or role-playing to explore how individual personalities, experiences, and learning shape feelings and behaviours in different situations
  • Exploring how different people meet their health needs, using examples from home, school, or community
  • Exploring techniques such as rehearsal, preparation, or breathing exercises to channel stress into productive action
  • Developing strategies like breathing techniques, movement, or talking to a trusted adult to manage stress responses in safe and constructive ways
  • Developing self-care and decision-making skills by identifying a range of hygiene practices that minimise the spread of viruses and germs
  • Recognising how personal feelings, social feedback, and cultural messages influence self-image
  • Identifying the key concepts (e.g. definitions, life stages, types of emotions) that cover human development:
    • physical
    • emotional
    • social changes
  • Developing strategies for making food and drink choices that support daily function, energy levels, and overall health
  • Developing strategies such as choosing nourishing foods, drinking water regularly, resting and getting enough sleep to support energy, and focusing during times of growth and change
  • Developing strategies, like positive self-talk, daily routines, and asking for help managing negative stress, and responding constructively to pressure
  • Demonstrating personal hygiene routines that prevent the spread of germs in shared environments, like classrooms, bathrooms, and eating areas
  • Highlighting the importance of recognising key information on medicine labels (e.g. dosage, purpose, and warnings) and complying with those instructions to ensure wellbeing
  • Developing strategies to challenge negative self-talk and promote positive self-perception
  • Exploring healthy habits and emotional regulation strategies, and identifying ways for respectful communication to manage the physical and emotional changes experienced through puberty
  • Practising self-care strategies such as rest, hydration, and relaxation techniques to manage emotional and physical discomfort
  • Exploring self-care habits that contribute to respectful classroom environments, and examining the connections between hygiene, physical health, and emotional wellbeing
  • Investigating the ways nutrition, hydration, and sleep support emotional wellbeing and brain function, and how imbalances or deficiencies in key nutrients can affect immunity, stress response, and cognitive performance
  • Acknowledging that the nervous system responds to stress through fight, flight, or freeze reactions and that strategies like healthy routines, problem-solving, and seeking support can help build resilience and manage emotional challenges
  • Exploring positive self-talk to support emotional wellbeing by helping people reframe negative thoughts, build confidence, and respond constructively to challenges

Relationships

Self and others

  • The ability to use verbal and non-verbal communication can depend on context, cultural norms, and personal experiences, shaping how understanding and connection are built (see Oral Communication in English).
  • Empathy involves interpreting emotional and non-verbal cues in context and choosing responses that reflect understanding and support.
  • Body image and self-perception are shaped through personal feelings, social feedback, and cultural messages.

Consent

  • Consent involves making choices about personal belongings, space, and bodies, and understanding these rights helps to set boundaries and recognise respectful behaviour.

Staying safe online 

  • The reliability, safety, and respectfulness of online content often depends on who created it and why it was shared.
  • The permanence of personal content on online platforms can depend on privacy settings, platform policies, and how others choose to interact with or redistribute that content.
  • Keeping personal information secure includes never sharing passwords, even with friends and logging out of shared devices when finished.

Stereotypes

  • Stereotypes negatively simplify complex social information by assigning fixed traits to groups; these negative assumptions can be challenged by exploring diverse perspectives and building inclusive relationships.
  • Avoiding assumptions based on group identity reduces bias and supports emotional safety, trust, and inclusion in social relationships.

Self and others

  • Building trust in relationships often depends on how well people listen, interpret non-verbal cues, and adjust language to show respect and understanding (see English Oral Language).
  • Developing personal strengths (e.g. resilience, self-discipline) and recognising those of others, helps people to work well in teams and supports group goals.
  • Supporting changes in friendships can feel challenging, and people should ask for support when they feel uncomfortable.
  • Supporting others in problem-solving, such as active listening, asking thoughtful questions, offering encouragement and working together, builds strong relationships.

Consent

  • Consent is shaped by context, communication and personal boundaries, and respecting someone’s right to change their mind is essential to building trust and mutual understanding.
  • Protective behaviours, such as saying ‘no’, seeking help, or leaving unsafe situations, help people respond to risk and maintain personal safety.

Staying safe online

  • The reliability, safety, and respectfulness of online content often depends on who created it, why it was shared, and how critically it is viewed by others.
  • The permanence of personal content on online platforms can depend on privacy settings, platform policies, and how others choose to interact with or redistribute that content.

Stereotypes

  • Stereotypes in sports and hobbies shape expectations by reinforcing biases. This can deter people from participating, and influence how people are evaluated and included.
  • Unconscious bias can shape how performance is judged, often leading to unequal recognition, feedback and opportunities, especially when someone’s interests challenge traditional norms.

Self and others

  • Empathy includes recognising others’ emotions, perspectives, and using this understanding to communicate respectfully and respond positively in relationships.
  • Relationships change over time due to factors like personal growth, conflict, or life transitions, and adapting to these changes with effective communication and empathy supports emotional wellbeing.
  • Bullying involves repeated harmful behaviour that uses power to control or exclude others, and can lead to long-term impacts on emotional wellbeing, learning, and social connection.

Consent

  • Consent is communicated through clear verbal and non-verbal signals, and understanding these cues helps people recognise when interactions are respectful and mutual.
  • Consent requires voluntary, informed, and enthusiastic agreement, and cannot be given under pressure, manipulation, or silence.

Staying safe online

  • Online content may use emotional triggers, misleading incentives, or idealised portrayals to influence behaviour, and recognising these tactics supports safer and more informed digital choices.

Stereotypes

  • Stereotypes often shape the language people use, influencing descriptions of others and the assumptions made about them.
  • Language influences inclusion by signalling respect, bias, or belonging.
  • Developing skills in adapting verbal and non-verbal communication to suit different contexts, cultures, and personal experiences
  • Using strategies like observing emotion and body language cues, listening actively, and responding with empathy to build understanding and meaningful connection with others
  • Respecting others’ boundaries by seeking permission, accepting their response, and recognising consent is essential for safe and respectful interactions
  • Developing strategies such as critical thinking, respectful discussion, and empathy to understand others more deeply and build inclusive, respectful relationships
  • Examining online contact by identifying its source, purpose, and potential impact, and applying strategies to stay safe and respectful online
  • Using privacy settings and safe sharing practices to manage personal content online, and recognising how others’ actions can affect its visibility and permanence
  • Recognising and questioning stereotypes by exploring diverse perspectives and practising inclusive communication in social settings
  • Providing opportunities to practise active listening, in different relationship contexts, to strengthen empathy and communication
  • Using active listening, thoughtful questioning, encouragement, and shared decision-making to foster trust and teamwork through collaborative problem-solving
  • Discussing different situations where the context of consent may change and personal boundaries may be impacted and using active listening and respectful behaviours
  • Using strategies like critical thinking, inclusive discussion, and analysing how stereotypes and unconscious bias affect participation and feedback
  • Using respectful communication strategies such as affirming language, tone awareness, and turn-taking in conversations that makes everyone feel welcome and avoids stereotypes
  • Recognising how relationships may shift due to changes in circumstances, interests, or emotions
  • Practising respectful communication strategies that promote inclusion, prevent bullying, and support emotional safety in group settings
  • Using role-play or scenarios to practise giving and receiving consent in everyday situations, such as sharing belongings and joining games
  • Analysing how language choices can include or exclude others and exploring ways to challenge biased descriptions
  • Using communication strategies that promote inclusion, choosing respectful language, and listening actively
  • Using critical thinking strategies to evaluate the reliability, intent, and impact of digital messages and media
  • Practising making informed choices online by using critical thinking strategies and discussing digital safety with peers or trusted adults

Physical Education

Knowledge

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

Practices

The skills, strategies, and applications to teach.

During Year 4

During Year 5

During Year 6

During Year 4

During Year 5

During Year 6

Movement skills

(Balance and movement)

Balance, strength, and flexibility

  • Balances can be used as start and finish positions and should be held with control and accuracy.
  • Partner balances involve mirroring, matching, counterbalance, and counter tension and require trust, timing and shared control.
  • A roll involves controlled movement that requires body awareness.
  • Body shapes (e.g. tuck, straddle, star, straight) are used to create variety and expression in balances and rolls.
  • A movement sequence includes a combination of balances, rolls, and travel movements.
  • Control, fluency, and flexibility are essential for developing sequences that flow smoothly and show clear body shapes.

Choregraphed movement (e.g. te ao kori/haka/poi)

  • Dance uses specific movements (e.g. dynamics — sharp/soft, fast/slow, hard/light) and methods of travel (e.g. direction, speed, levels).
  • Expression, gesture, and choreographic devices (e.g. canon, unison, mirroring, matching, contrast) support storytelling.
  • Static balance involves holding still, while dynamic balance requires continuous adjustments. 
  • A stimulus (e.g. music, images, or movement words) can inspire improvised movements sequences.
  • Feedback and refinement are important for developing movement techniques.

Balance, strength, and flexibility

  • Performing a range of balances, including supported and unsupported, as start and finish positions, holding with control and accuracy
  • Working with a partner to demonstrate mirroring, matching, counterbalance, and counter tension, using clear body shapes and shared control
  • Executing a variety of rolls, including forward rolls, side rolls, and rocking in a tuck, combining them smoothly with balances and travel movements
  • Traveling on, over, across, and through obstacles (e.g. benches, mats), using different movement patterns such as crawling, jumping, and sliding 
  • Creating and performing a short sequence that includes balances, rolls, and travel, showing increasing control, fluency, and confidence in transitions
  • Stretching with movements, such as wide straddles, extended shapes, and smooth transitions, between positions 
  • Selecting and performing body shapes, such as tuck, straddle star, and straight, within balances and rolls to add variety and expression to a sequence

Choregraphed movement (e.g. te ao kori/haka/poi)

  • Balancing (static and dynamic) in isolation and as part of sequences
  • Creating and performing movement patterns, using space and dynamics
  • Applying choreographic devices such as canon, unison, mirroring, matching, and smooth transitions
  • Improvising in response to music, themes, motifs, or visual stimuli
  • Refining movement and performance based on feedback
  • Evaluating a performance using specific vocabulary

Movement skills

(Invasion games)

Invasion games (e.g. rippa rugby)

  • Accurate passing and receiving techniques, including ready position, are essential for maintaining possession.
  • Players must decide when to pass and when to run based on the game situation.
  • Interceptions and movement into space are key strategies for regaining and maintaining possession.
  • Basic rules and conventions including passing, change of possession when the ball is dropped or goes out, and safe tagging.

Invasion games (e.g. netball and basketball)

  • Key principles of attack include moving the ball forward, dodging, and scoring.
  • Key principles of defence include marking, intercepting, and regaining possession.
  • Marking involves both first stage (marking the player) and second stage (marking the ball).
  • Accurate passing and correct selection of pass type are essential for maintaining possession.
  • Shooting requires specific technique and positioning.
  • Intercepting involves reading the play and timing movement to disrupt a pass.
  • Using space effectively is important for both attacking (creating passing options) and defending (holding space). 
  • Game play is governed by rules and conventions (e.g. offside, obstruction, footwork, time limits).

Invasion games (e.g. rippa rugby/touch/turbo touch)

  • Effective attack in invasion games involves finding space, maintaining possession, and driving towards the try zone or goal.
  • Effective defence in invasion games involves marking opposition players and defending as a team by holding shape and maintaining formation.
  • A loose ball occurs when attackers drop the ball, creating an opportunity for either team to gain possession.
  • A turnover happens when a player gains possession for their team. 
  • A player is offside and gives away a free pass or penalty if they are in front of a teammate passing the ball after a restart from a tag.

Invasion games (e.g. rippa rugby)

  • Passing and receiving the ball with increasing accuracy and speed, using correct technique
  • Running, throwing, catching, and changing speed/direction to create and exploit space
  • Applying basic attacking and defensive strategies, including scoring, tagging, and intercepting
  • Applying game rules and conventions during play (e.g. stopping immediately after being tagged, passing, changing possession if the ball is dropped)

Invasion games (e.g. netball and basketball)

  • Passing, dribbling, and moving into space to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities
  • Applying attacking and defending strategies in a game, including dodging, marking (both stages), and intercepting
  • Shooting using correct technique
  • Applying rules and conventions accurately during play and adapting to game situations and positions
  • Making decisions, such as when and how to pass, move, or shoot, to support team success

Invasion games (e.g. rippa rugby/touch/turbo touch)

  • Playing modified games with basic positions, the application of rules, and game conventions
  • Passing accurately while running and using different passing techniques 
  • Playing tactically and as a team, including:
    • retaining possession after turnover 
    • choosing appropriate passing options
    • running to pass or evade an opponent 
    • timing runs to contribute to effective play or scoring
    • communicating with teammates
    • supporting players with the ball by moving into space and providing options

Movement skills

(Fielding, striking, and net and wall games)

Fielding/striking (e.g. cricket/kilikiti/softball)

  • There are multiple techniques for sending, receiving, and striking the ball, including catching, throwing, and using different bats (cricket, kilikiti, softball).
  • Effective fielding involves techniques like the long barrier, various catching styles (high, skim, close), and stopping with the glove or foot.
  • Batting and fielding require coordinated movement, timing, and tactical decision-making for both attack and defence.
  • Basic rules and conventions include how to get out (caught, bowled, run out), how to score and how the game is structured.
  • Throwing at a target (e.g. stumps or base) requires correct technique, including body weight transfer and aiming.

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

  • A correct base/starting position is essential for effective movement and ball control.
  • Reaction time, balance, and speed are key components of fitness that support successful play.
  • Game play includes conventions such as scoring, serving, and rallies.
  • There are different methods to move the ball across the court (e.g. volley, underarm, overarm).
  • There are techniques to control the play, including attacking techniques and defensive techniques.

Fielding/striking (e.g. cricket/kilikiti)

  • Technique is important when batting, bowling, and fielding. It supports accuracy, power, and consistency in performance.
  • There are different bowling techniques with different ball movements and speed (e.g. standing overarm, wind-up, and run-up deliveries).
  • Basic game conventions include innings, overs, and scoring.
  • Tactical play includes batting choices and fielding positions.
  • Specific fitness components (e.g. running speed and reaction time) enhance performance.

Fielding/striking (e.g. cricket/kilikiti/softball)

  • Throwing accurately at targets using correct technique, including stepping through and aiming
  • Striking balls consistently using different bats, focusing on grip, stance, back lift, timing, and ball placement
  • Fielding by tracking and catching, using long barrier, and stopping the ball using hands, glove, or foot
  • Applying rules, conventions, and strategies during gameplay, including scoring runs, identifying outs and making strategic decisions about fielding and throwing

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

  • Standing in a correct base or start position and moving effectively to receive or return the ball
  • Serving and passing the ball with control and accuracy
  • Feeding and receiving the ball over a net using correct throwing and catching technique
  • Sustaining a rally by keeping the ball in play using appropriate passing and movement, with or without a net
  • Applying movement and decision-making to win points through coordinated team play

Fielding/striking (e.g. cricket/kilikiti)

  • Batting using different techniques (e.g. defensive shots, drives, stepping into underarm pitches) 
  • Bowling using different techniques (e.g. standing overarm, wind-up, and run-up delivery)
  • Fielding using different techniques (e.g. catching, retrieving, throwing)
  • Applying basic game conventions in modified games, including innings and overs
  • Making tactical decisions during gameplay (e.g. adapting batting, adjusting fielding positions, varying bowling techniques, and choosing when to run to maximise scoring)
  • Running with speed, reacting quickly to support effective play

Movement skills

(Athletics)

Athletics — introduction to run, jump, throw

  • Accurate movement in running, jumping, and throwing relies on balance, timing, coordination, and effective force application.
  • Sprints require speed and quick reaction time to accelerate and maintain high velocity.
  • Long-distance running requires stamina to sustain effort over time. 
  • Jumping and throwing events require power, coordination, and flexibility to generate force and control movement. 
  • Muscles used in athletic activities need to be prepared through mobility and stretching to prevent injury and support performance.
  • Participation in different events has varying physical impacts, such as fatigue and muscle soreness after prolonged effort.
  • Pacing and rhythmic breathing regulate energy output and support sustained movement during long distance and cross country running

Athletics — run and jump

  • Static stretching targets specific muscle groups such as quadriceps, hamstrings, deltoids, and triceps.
  • The long jump involves distinct phases: run-up, take-off (plant foot), flight and landing, and using the strongest take-off foot.
  • Sprinting and longer-distance running require different techniques and fitness components (e.g. reaction time and speed for sprints, pacing and stamina for longer distances and cross country).
  • Effective pacing and tactical decisions (e.g. when to overtake) are still important in longer-distance events (e.g. 300m, cross country).
  • Basic physiological responses to exercise include increased heart rate and breathing rate to support muscle function.
  • Accurate data recording using stopwatches and tape measures supports performance tracking and reflection.

Athletics — introduction to run, jump, throw

  • Running techniques, with varying stride length, posture, and arm movement, for short, long distances and cross country
  • Jumping to maximise height or distance
  • Throwing different objects, using push, pull, and sling techniques, over distance and with accuracy
  • Tracking, chasing, and retrieving objects with control, linking movement to agility and coordination
  • Moving with speed and agility in short-distance relays and reaction time games

Athletics — run and jump 

  • Stretching for specific muscle groups, including quadriceps, hamstrings, deltoids, and triceps, before and after activity
  • Performing long jumps using a run-up and taking off with the strongest foot
  • Sprinting for short distances, with a focus on quick reaction time, high knee lift, and driving arms
  • Running longer distances (including cross country) with a focus on pacing, stamina, and tactics for overtaking
  • Monitoring changes in heart rate and breathing before, during, and after running events
  • Recording times and measuring distances to track and reflect on performance

Movement skills

(Swimming)

Swimming

  • Basic water survival skills include floating, treading water, and safe entry/exit techniques.
  • The HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Posture) position (in a life jacket or with a tow float) and huddle position helps conserve body heat in cold water.
  • Safe reach rescues (e.g. using a noodle or kickboard) must be performed with awareness of potential dangers.
  • Breathing while swimming involves inhaling above water and exhaling below water.
  • Safety practices are essential during water activities, along with wearing the appropriate gear and following instructions.
  • Swimming technique can be adapted for different strokes (e.g. front crawl, back stroke, and breaststroke) and situations.
  • Open water conditions (e.g. currents, waves, and temperature) can influence safety and movement.
  • Risk assessment includes recognising environmental hazards and knowing when to enter, exit, or avoid water.

Swimming

  • Performing floating and sculling techniques
  • Demonstrating the HELP position and huddle position for cold water survival accurately
  • Performing safe reach rescues using flotation devices with awareness of safety risks
  • Swimming increasing distances using coordinated front crawl movements, including correct body position, leg action, arm action, and breathing
  • Analysing open water conditions and environmental hazards to identify safe decisions, including when and where to enter or exit water

Outdoor Education

  • Weather conditions influence human behaviour, enjoyment, and decision-making in outdoor settings.
  • Collaborative problem-solving (mahi tahi) and effective group dynamics can help people address challenges encountered during outdoor activities. Overcoming these challenges can be a source of satisfaction and enjoyment.
  • Outdoor activities can help people discover new strengths, build resilience, and enjoy personal challenges in nature.
  • Different types of terrain (e.g. forested areas, coastal zones, elevated landscapes) present distinct environmental challenges and require terrain-specific safety protocols and preparation. 
  • Risk assessment and management strategies include pre-activity research and planning to reduce risk and increase enjoyment.
  • The joy of outdoor activities comes from balancing adventure with responsibility.
  • Natural landmarks, topographical features, and basic navigation tools (e.g. compass, sun position, contour lines) in outdoor environments are key to accurate map orientation and identification of cardinal directions. 
  • Being responsible in natural environments involves minimising human impact on the land, wildlife, and ecosystems.
  • Evaluating weather conditions and making recommendations about activity options and clothing choices
  • Applying group problem-solving strategies to overcome challenging outdoor activities
  • Identifying hazards in the school, home, and community
  • Creating risk management strategies for outdoor experiences around school and the local community
  • Using navigation tools to plan routes in outdoor environments
  • Identifying ways to engage responsibly with natural environments during outdoor activities (e.g. ‘leave no trace’ principles, demonstrating guardianship — tiakitanga)