Health and Physical Education · Years 7–8 · NZ Curriculum
Health: bodies and minds
What Health and Physical Education intermediate students in Aotearoa New Zealand learn under health: bodies and minds, and where it shows up across Kōkiri Learn's inquiry worlds.
Health and Physical Education · 11 inquiry worlds cover this strand
New Zealand Curriculum, Phase 3
The teaching sequence
Year 7 sequence
- Puberty, sleep and emotions
- Balanced diet and what shapes food choices
- Managing change and stress
- Resisting pressure about substances
Year 8 sequence
- Physical, emotional and social changes of puberty
- Reading food advertising and labels
- Causes and management of stress
- Harms from alcohol, vaping and other drugs
Where this shows up
Kōkiri Learn inquiry worlds that cover this strand
The whole class works on one world at a time — these are where this strand's focus actually comes up.
5 weeksFact or Fake? Media and Digital LiteracyYear 8 sequence · Reading food advertising and labels
4 weeksTe Whare Tapa Whā: Building WellbeingYear 7 sequence · How hormonal changes in puberty reshape sleep patterns and emotions; shifting nutritional needs and the importance of variety and balance; how major life changes affect emotions, and strategies (planning, talking, self-care, help-seeking) to manage them
5 weeksKai and Me: Food Choices and LabelsYear 7 sequence · Changing nutritional needs in adolescence and the importance of variety and balance; how cultural traditions and shared meals shape food choices and belonging; the effect of the sugar in fizzy drinks on teeth and health; persuasive techniques in food advertising
5 weeksRecharge: Sleep, Screens and StressYear 7 sequence · How hormonal changes in puberty reshape sleep patterns and emotions; how major life changes affect emotions and behaviour, and strategies (planning, talking, self-care, help-seeking) to adjust; how small amounts of stress can help focus if balanced with rest; how peer pressure and social media can make substance use seem normal
5 weeksKind Online, Strong OfflineYear 7 sequence · Body image and peer acceptance shaped by social comparison and media influence
5 weeksPersonal Best: Training and Goal SettingYear 7 sequence · Balanced diet and what shapes food choices, applied to fuelling and recovering from activity
5 weeksHauora in ActionYear 8 sequence · How the brain and body respond to stress and strategies that support regulation and recovery; resilience that may include feeling stuck or needing support before moving forward
- 5 weeksKai and Me: Food Choices and Labels
Year 8 sequence · Roles of protein, calcium, iron and healthy fats in bone health, brain development and energy; analysing food packaging and advertisements for persuasive techniques and whether products meet nutritional needs
- 5 weeksRecharge: Sleep, Screens and Stress
Year 8 sequence · Recognising physical and emotional signs of stress using accurate terms (breathing, heart rate, mood, behaviour); how the brain and body respond to stress and strategies for regulation and recovery; resilience that includes needing support; the health risks of vaping for young people, and misuse of legal products such as energy drinks
5 weeksFuel, Breath and Family TraitsYear 8 sequence · Links to the health programme, where puberty and human reproduction are taught, and to what the body needs from food and activity
5 weeksKai Lab: Food TechnologyYear 8 sequence · Reading food labels, including allergen and 'may contain' statements
Ready to run it with your class?
Free trial for NZ schools. One combined Years 7–8 class, any term.