AIA New Zealand Media Release: 26 October 2016
AIA Healthy Kids Challenge gets underway today with 110 schools nationwide
Today a staggering 15,000 children from 499 classes at 110 primary schools across New Zealand get underway with the AIA
Healthy Kids Challenge. The five-week health and wellbeing programme aims to inspire children, and their families, to
get active and make healthy eating choices.
The AIA Healthy Kids Challenge cleverly combines technology and leading New Zealand athletes to inspire, motivate and
educate primary school children and their parents to lead healthier lives. The programme is being supported by hockey
player Gemma Flynn and international rugby winger Cory Jane.
AIA New Zealand Head of Marketing and Communications, David Savidan, says: “We want to encourage Kiwi primary school
kids and their parents to improve their general health and wellness by getting active and eating well as a family. The
AIA Healthy Kids Challenge harnesses technology that, with the proliferation of screens, is sometimes seen as a barrier
to a healthy lifestyle.”
AIA’s recent Healthy Living Index concluded that unless there is a concerted effort by parents and schools to promote
exercise and restrict screen time, there will be significant challenges to the younger generation leading healthier
lives.
As part of the AIA Healthy Kids Challenge, each child receives a free pedometer to count the number of steps they take
every day; each child also gets to create their own unique avatar. The programme records each class’s daily average
steps, giving them the opportunity to win prizes, including AIA sports grants and Huawei Tablets for their school.
The children’s journey will be captured in a virtual online world showing the progress of their avatars as they work
together to unlock new destinations. As children complete each leg, they’re shown an animated video of their avatar
exploring each new place with New Zealand sporting stars Gemma and Cory. They learn about the history and culture of the
countries they ‘visit’, and get health tips on the way around.
The Challenge recognises the importance of families exercising and making healthy eating choices together.
“Establishing good, healthy habits is easier when the whole family is on board, and it benefits everyone. We invite
parents, friends and family to sign up to the Challenge to have fun getting fit and support their local school,” says Mr
Savidan.
Parents, friends and family can use the website or download the Challenge app to track their own steps. The more adults
each participating class has involved, the more chances the class and school have to win prizes, and there are
opportunities for parents who get involved to win prizes too.
Simply visit www.healthykids.kiwi to register.
ENDS