Nutrition and Physical Activity

 

He Oranga Pounamu is the Principal Provider for the purposes of the contract with the Ministry of Health and the project itself operates as a collaborative venture between He Oranga Pounamu, Pacific Health Trust, Heart Foundation, Ngai Tahu Development Corporation and other Māori and Pacific community providers.

 

Goal

 

Improve the health status of the communities involved in the programme. To be achieved through increasing the ability of communities to work together to identify nutrition and physical activity priorities and take action defined as important by the communities themselves.

 

Aims

 

1. To improve the knowledge and skills of the individuals in the community about nutrition and physical activity.

2. To address the underlying environmental causes of obesity.

 

Principles

 

Acknowledging the special relationship between Māori and the Crown through the Treaty of Waitangi:

 

1. Promoting community development resulting in collaboration and knowledge sharing

2. Ensuring linkages to key health priorities

3. Reducing inequalities that impact on the health of Māori and Pacific Peoples

4. Developing the workforce

 

The key population groups for the programme are Māori and Pacific families throughout the Canterbury region from Hakatere to Kaikoura.

 

CNPAP have successfully negotiated with five Māori and Pacific providers to deliver services in nutrition and physical activity to these communities. These services include mother and baby classes (swimming, sensory and physical activity), gentle exercise classes, walking groups, mau rakau, craft classes and group education classes.