Independently Active
- Green Island Family Health Care December 2016
The ultimate aim of the Green Prescription Active Families programme is for participating families to
develop healthier lifestyles and become independently active.
To support families on their journey, those with children aged 5-12 are invited to take part in weekly
activity sessions as part of the programme. In these activity sessions, we include some sports tasters,
but we also utilise community events, facilities, and resources. One resource we have recently included
is the Department of Conservation’s ‘Kiwi Guardians’ programme.
Kiwi Guardians is a free activity programme for kids to learn about nature, earn cool rewards,
and go on epic family adventures! It invites your family to:
• Get out and explore New Zealand with your kids.
• Take part in an activity or take action in your local area.
• Find the Guardian Post at each location to earn a Kiwi Guardian medal!
www.doc.govt.nz
Liz Wilson
Active Families Coordinator
Sport Otago
Keyword: Kiwi Guardians
Milly Reid’s family have been participating in Active Families. They enjoyed coming regularly to the weekly activity
sessions, often bringing along extra children when Milly’s mum Tessa had care children. Together they decided they
would like to increase their weekend and holiday-time family physical activity and were looking for new and fun things
to do. Active Families introduced them to the Kiwi Guardians challenge – which fitted the bill exactly.
There were originally four Kiwi Guardian sites around Dunedin – Milly’s family has independently completed all of
these! They have discovered Aramoana, Woodhaugh Gardens, Lawyer’s Head, and Sandfly Bay. Tessa since found out
that there have been three further sites added to the Kiwi Guardians programme in Dunedin and the family is keen to
discover these as well.
Milly’s family have enjoyed these adventures so much that they have gone on to plan their own adventures and recently
walked the Organ Pipes track.
It is wonderful to hear of Milly’s adventures and to see the fun that her family is having being independently active!
Families who are looking to improve their health through fitness and activity can become
involved with the Active Families programme by calling 0800 SPORT0 (0800 776 786).
Ask your GP or Practice Nurse
about Active Families today!