Mission-On

Why do we need Mission-On?

The lifestyles of young New Zealanders are changing.

Children and young people in New Zealand currently live in an environment that has:

• more and more options for sedentary leisure activities
• increased barriers to physical activity
• increased availability (and promotion) of energy-dense foods.

This is reflected in negative health trends, such as:

• increasing numbers of overweight and obese children and young people
• increasing numbers of young people who are sedentary
• lower socio-economic communities having poorer nutritional intake and greater rates of obesity.

Physical inactivity and poor nutrition are linked to many chronic health problems.

Mission-On's goal and focus

Mission-On has the goal of establishing healthy behaviours before a child enters school, and embedding healthy decision making after young people leave the school and family environments.

The package focuses on developing broad, healthy behaviours, while avoiding stigmatising those with weight issues.

It includes broad national initiatives and also targets high-risk communities.

What's happening under Mission-On

Ten initiatives have been developed under Mission-On. These are currently in various stages of implementation.

• Find out about some of the Mission-On initiatives that have happened so far.

The initiatives aim to grab young people's attention through high profile, fun activities and technology that 'pushes their buttons'.

The initiatives have been developed with input from young people, to ensure they're relevant and engaging.

• Initiative 1 - Improving nutrition within the school and early childhood environments
• Initiative 2 - Student health promotion
• Initiative 3 - 'Lifestyle' ambassadors
• Initiative 4 - Youth-branded websites
• Initiative 5 - Government 'walking the talk'
• Initiative 6 - Television and computer-free time
• Initiative 7 - Controlling advertising
• Initiative 8 - Using television and radio to encourage change
• Initiative 9 - Health Impact Assessments
• Initiative 10 - Expanding the Green Prescription programme

Who's involved in Mission-On

Mission-On is an interagency campaign, co-ordinated by SPARC in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, and with support from the Ministry of Youth Development.

• Ministry of Health Mission-On information
• Ministry of Education Mission-On information
• Ministry of Youth Development Mission-On information

The Mission-On launch

Mission-On was launched on 21 September in Auckland by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Helen Clark.

• Mission-On launch speech - Rt Hon Helen Clark (PDF, 38 KB)
• Mission-On media statement - Rt Hon Helen Clark (PDF, 22 KB)
• Mission-On media statement - Hon Steve Maharey (PDF, 22 KB)

BMX Photo: Tasman District Council

Updated | 05 Jul 2007.

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