2004 Wellchild Week's Wonderful Activities around the country began early May continuing throughout the month. What a thrill to see the new WellChild flags fluttering from lampposts on the main streets in the various towns and suburbs nationally, likewise the WellChild Logo up there on the back of buses around Auckland suburbs. Both these resources will be seen for several weeks after the official date, and normalises Wellchild Week to be 'every week".
The Coalition's innovative ideas are very impressive and if shared around could help everyone to feel confident they can run an activity for future WellChild Weeks - please request a copy of any of the cuttings and I will be happy to send to you.
- 21/4/04 Kaikoura Star "Mental health to be promoted" to coincide with WellChild Week - the initiative had arisen out of concerns expressed about the need for more services to improve mental health and well-being in the Kaikoura area raising awareness, challenging the negative attitudes and providing opportunities for people to find out what services are available in the town and how they can be accessed.
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- 25/4/04 Sunday News "Fast-food fixation leads to fed-up kids 'Not a fat lot of good" by Simon Bradwell It's not the Weetbix, unhealthy eating habits indicate Kiwi kids are more likely to be takeaway tubbies.
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- 28/4/04 Gisborne Herald "Improving our children's health" a simple change in paperwork when a newborn baby is discharged from Gisborne hospital could lead to a significant improvement in Tairawhiti children's health, say members of the region's re-established Child Health Steering Committee - informative article
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- 28/4/04 Wanganui Chronicle "Protecting your child's hearing" Good Health Wanganui tips for preventing Glue ear
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- 29/4/04 The Leader “Wrong food types resulting in child malnutrition” article by Dr Anne-Thea McGill
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- 30/4/04 East & Bays Courier "Obesity is food for thought" and "Simple steps to health" - 2 articles by Dr Cameron Grant (Auckland University associate professor in paediatrics and paediatrician at Starship Children's Hospital) and Dr Anne-Thea McGill
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- 1/5/04 Patea & Waverley Press "WellChild Week 1/2 page Media Release
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- 1/5/04 Patea & Waverley Press "Plunket News" advising the free health checks 0-5 are entitled to
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- 01/05/04 Littlies (2 full pages) article by Dr Anne-Thea McGill – medical weight control consultancy, researcher in the area of obesity, teaches lifestyle health at the University of Auckland
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- 4/5/04 Taupo Times full page focusing on Wellchild Week activities, tips for outdoor play clothing
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- 4/5/04 Saturday Express (Marlborough) full page Wellchild NZ Health Directory
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- 4/5/04 Rotorua Review 5 full pages Wellchild services articles by Marg Rolleston Tipu Ora on hearing and family and whanau support, Lakes DHB initiatives to improve child health; Rotorua Dental Health Campaign to raise level of fluoride; WC Week activities with focus on health under fives.
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- 4/5/04 The Courier (Ashburton) 1/2 page photos and article on "Malnourished kids waste away in a fast food nation"
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- 4/5/04 Taradale Observer full page "Fair to promote healthy children"
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- 5/5/04 Hamilton Press "Slack Kiwis ignore childhood wellness issues" Colmar Brunton's recent survey shows we are not taking the issues of obesity, malnutrition and inactivity seriously enough - where one in 5 NZers were obese and didn't know it. Among white Kiwis surveyed, 29% were overweight and 17% clinically obese (although 1% only thought they were) – another notable finding was 33% of Asians were obese without realising it.
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- 5/5/04 South Waikato News 3 full pages Tokoroa Plunket covering the WC checks and focusing on healthy eating with hot and cold recipes and tips for kids activities.
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- 5/5/04 High Country Herald (Timaru) full page Plunket range of services main focus
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- 5/5/04 Christchurch Star 3/4 page Focus on under fives
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- 5/5/04 The Bay News Tauranga "Mini-expo for child health"
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- 6/5/04 Taupo Weekender "Healthy eating for children” Cooking demonstrations, recipes, information and resources available from Taupo District Wellchild Group which is made up of a number of organisations who provide services to families of babies, children and young people
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- 6/5/04 The Leader "Have fun and learn at the arena" Taradale Pre-school Olympics focusing on healthy eating and good exercise options for youngsters
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- 6/5/04 Turangi Chronicle "Free lunch for toddlers on Wednesday” Iron Brian from NZ Beef and Lamb speaking on benefits of red meat
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- 6/5/04 Hawera Star full page "Malnourished kids 'wasting' away in fast-food nation"
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- 6/5/04 Clutha Leader "Main focus on obesity"
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- 6/5/04 Dunedin Star full page photo of kids at Middleton Early Childhood Centre Public Health South article
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- 6/5/04 Wairoa Star "Focus of week is the importance of exercise and eating a balanced diet"
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- 6/5/04 Southland Express 2 full pages "Physical activity vital for healthy living" eating guidelines for children, Healthy Heart Award taking a novel approach to the prevention of childhood obesity
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- 6/5/04 Hamilton/Waikato News "Guiding your child" focus on good behaviour
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- 7/5/04 TV Guide WC Week Advertisement
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- 7/5/04 Southland Times full page with focus on Glue Ear in four centres of Riverton, Gore, Tuatapere and Invercargill
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- 7/5/04 The Ensign "Children's potential aim of week" 1/2 page
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- 7/5/04 The Ensign (Gore) full page Community Networking towards an improved and enriched healthy community focusing on Glue Ear and Obesity in under 5 year olds
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- 7/5/04 Daily News (NewPlymouth) 1.5 pages with 5 days of fun filled activities and healthy eating at venues in New Plymouth, Waitara, Hawera, Stratford and Opunake
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- 8/5/04 Otago Daily Times "Healthy eating promoted for children" "Eat well to stay well to play well" is the motto and catalyst for Queenstown and Central Otago Wellchild working group. The group is compiling a resource folder on child nutrition to be distributed to GPs, Plunket and nurses to promote awareness in the district
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- 8/5/04 Saturday Express (Blenheim) Childhood Obesity - a diet of TV, PlayStation and takeaways is leaving Marlborough children fatter and health experts worried - but solving childhood obesity is about tackling lifestyle rather than just diet.
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- 8/5/04 TV Guide (full page) advert promoting screen-free days, role modeling your kids with activity, quick easy healthy meals in the time it takes to have a pizza delivered
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- 10/5/04 NZ Women's Weekly "Overweight kids - a growing problem" article by Dr Anne-Thea McGill Auckland medical weight consultant
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- 10/5/04 The Press "Strength and stamina in children promoted" Sport and Recreation New Zealand booklet released Active Movement/Koringa Hihoko to coincide with Wellchild Week
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- 10/5/04 Hawkes Bay Today "Mini Olympics in Taradale with hearing checks and advice on health and nutrition organised by Hawke's Bay DHB Sport Hawke's Bay and another 20 organisations May 2004 Littlies full page "Get active - lunch to go" tips on eating healthy tips on exercise
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- 10/5/04 Timaru Herald full page "Good eating and exercise habits for young children” Resource package launch and the Resource will move to each early childhood centre throughout South Canterbury over the next year, staying at each centre for one to two weeks. The Resource includes 'Lunch-box Time' material consisting of two sealed lunch-box examples made up of real and model food, featuring a colour photo of the lunch-boxes, cost of contents in each - a 'What's In Drinks" provides clear idea of the amount of sugar in everyday drinks
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- 10/5/04 Hawke's Bay Today "Mini Olympics tomorrow" in Taradale taking in bean-bag tossing, hurdle jumping and soccer-ball kicking
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- 10/5/04 Kapiti Observer "Free check up on children's health"
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- 11/5/04 Manukau Courier "Plunket bus makes health checks" Plunket's WellChild bus frequently makes house calls to Manurewa Monday, Mangere Tuesday, Wiri Wednesday, Otara Thursday and Papakura Friday - the free service has been running for 4 years
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- 11/5/04 Western Leader (Auck) "Healthy eating” Green Bay Motu Moana camp will host 400 children up to 5 years old learning about healthy eating
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- 11/5/04 Daily News (New Plymouth) full page Food and Drink Morning tea at Te Kopae Piripono, Maori Early Childhood Centre has for 10 years endorsed healthy eating as a first step to a healthy lifestyle
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- 11/5/04 Hauraki Herald Wellchild Week Hauraki District Council
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- 11/5/04 Te Awamutu Courier "Nurturing brain and body" - as in SPARC Resource
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- 11/5/04 Central Hawke's Bay Mail "Fast lifestyles hamper child health - Teddy bears picnic focuses on activity
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- 11/5/04 Hutt News "Helping turn fat kids into fit kids" On an individual level it needs lifestyle changes, like trying to get people to exercise 30 minutes a day, stop snacking on fast food and watching less TV Dr Barry said
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- 11/5/04 Central Hawke's Bay Mail "Health organisations unite for Well Child week
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- 12/5/04 Dominion Post "Getting in the swing" 80 children enjoying the mini Olympics for preschoolers at the Pettigrew Green Arena in Napier
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- 12/5/04 The Aucklander "Water Safety campaign begins in the bathroom” Data on pre-school drownings shows one year olds are most at risk as children this age are beginning to walk and be more adventurous in exploring their environment
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- 12/5/04 Stratford Press "Emotional health important" - interesting article written by Lois Kyle Head Teacher Stratford Central Kindergarten
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- 12/5/04 Stratford Press " (full page) Four kindergartens from Stratford, Eltham and Hawera with help from pupils from Stratford High School and Sport Taranaki keeping active and eating right
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- 12/5/04 Hamilton Press "Food for thought "Dr Anne-Thea McGill's media release article
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- 12/5/04 High Country Herald (Timaru) "Wellchild Week has serious objectives" (2 pages)
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- 12/5/04 Hamilton Press "Our kids need to shape up" some children have very low iron and folate levels because they're eating so many takeaways, they have got cholesterol patterns and insulin levels that are bad news for their health and the rate of children developing type 2 diabetes is significant.
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- 12/5/04 Northern Outlook (Rangiora) Childhood physical activity vital" Both brain and body development are strongly affected by early childhood experiences of physical movement says a new SPARC resource being released "An Introduction to Active Movement / Koringa Hihoko" advises parents and caregivers of the crucial role that movement plays in human development and recommends appropriate ways to incorporate it into young children's lives. As well as physical skills like eye, hand and foot co-ordination, physical movement impacts on children's cognitive abilities, the development of the senses, problem solving and spatial awareness says SPARC chief executive Nick Hill
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- 12/5/04 The Mirror "(1/2 page) Queenstown-Central Otago Wellchild working at Wanaka Plunket Rooms - event focusing on healthy eating and activity the aim
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- 12/5/04 Wanganui Midweek "Kids who eat healthily will be healthy adults"
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- 12/5/04 Ashburton Guardian "Childhood movement resource released" "It is our responsibility to ensure that all children develop the confidence and competence to move, play and be active: Trevor Mallard Minister for Sport and Recreation welcomed the resource
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- 12/5/04 Mirror (Central Otago & Southland) "Event focuses on healthy eating" developing resource packs with nutrition and physical activity information for health centres throughout the area
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- 12/5/04 Piako Post Weight issue a real threat to youngsters" (3 columns) Sportslink with Ruth Stanley district sport coordinator on Push Play Family Challenge
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- 12/5/04 Southland Times "Happy checks" photo of vision hearing technician Mary Ineson of Southland dhb checking Jack Irvine
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- 12/5/04 Gisborne Herald " Tea Party will highlight children's health" to help push that message at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party Scooter the Push Play Bunny, the 5+ a day a tooth fairy and Huggie Buggie the Immunisation Bug
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- 12/5/04 Kaikoura Star photo - mothers and infants walking along Kaikoura's Esplanade
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- 12/5/04 North Waikato "Celebrate Well Child day" Huntly Coalition check on car restraints, teeth, ear and many more
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- 12/5/04 Bay News (Tauranga) (3 full pages) "Focus on keeping children well:
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- 13/5/04 Matamata Chronicle "Keep kids fit and trim” Plump pre-schoolers are in the spotlight this WellChild Week
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- 13/5/04 Hawera Star "Hari the Smokefree monster a big hit at Ruanui Sports Hall - large number of community groups with a health focus were represented and activities included cooking demonstrations and budget advice.
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- 13/5/04 Feilding Herald, "Earliest eating affects adulthood"
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- 13/5/04 West Coast Times "Fit kits for kids on the way photo of children enjoying a fit kit (including a crawl tunnel, river stepping stones, balance board, moon hopper, and a selection of balls including a peanut massage ball) to be handed over to the Hokitika Toy library
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- 13/5/04 Waitomo News "Teddy Time" Teddy Bear's Picnic attended by more than 40 parents and their children at Waitomo Cultural and Arts Centre in Te Kuiti
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- 13/5/04 NorthShore Times-Advertiser "Babies bath time safety top priority" Three safety agencies ShoreSafe Children, WaterSafe Auckland and Plunket are working together to promote the message of bath time safety for the parents of toddlers. Every child attending their 9 month well child check at Plunket will be given bath toys and colourful foam animal stickers which carry reminders for parents "Always stay with your children at bath time, run the cold water first, use a non-slip bath mat and always put the plug up high"
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- 13/5/04 Gisborne Herald "Plunket is 97 and still major health provider” Sir Fredrick Truby King founded the organisation in 1907 in Dunedin leading the society dedicated to supporting and educating mothers.
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- 13/5/04 Daily Post Rotorua "Kohanga reo targeting obesity" photo Amos Taitimu
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- 13/5/04 Southland Times "Battling the bulge focus of seminar” A joint effort by the community and medical professionals was needed to arrest the obesity epidemic, Southland hospital Paediatrician Paul Tomlinson told a seminar in Invercargill - Communities had to be involved because many of the causes were linked to social attitudes and behaviours. A 2000 US study showed the most obese people were 50% fatter than their counterparts 14 years ago. In NZ a study of Hawke's Bay children found obesity rates in 11 and 12 year olds rose from 2.4% in 1989 to 9.1% in 2000
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- 13/5/04 Timaru Herald "WellChild Week focuses on nutrition and activity” 3 organisations District Nursing Service, Sport South Canterbury and Community & Public Health have joined forces to get the healthy message across
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- 13/5/04 Horowhenua-Kapiti Chronicle (Levin) full page "Children 'waisting' away in fast food nation” Auckland medical weight consultant Dr Anne-Thea McGill says there has been a backlash against the publicity around the obesity epidemic, with some media questioning the significance, but the rate of children developing type 2 diabetes (which is obesity-related and known as 'adult-onset' diabetes) bears out the message
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- 13/5/04 Wairoa Star "Week promotes healthy living" Wairoa has got behind this initiative and those involved hope it will not just be a week's involvement, but a lifestyle change
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- 14/5/04 North Shore Times "WellChild checks keep kids healthy" Te PunaHauora Childcare Centre with Joel Razon checking
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- 14/5/04 Daily News (New Plymouth) "Fun health lessons keep kids hale" photo of Sharlee Mariekura (teacher) and Kahurangi Chase at Opunake WellChild day where more than 50 preschoolers danced and sang the I blow my nose song at a fun-filled and healthy gathering
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- 14/5/04 Wairarapa Times-Age "Children get the message on healthy eating" photo of Whaiora Whanau
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- 14/5/04 Weekend Sun (Tauranga) "Fairies and PJ’s Dame Susan Devoy, toothfairies and Bananas in Pyjamas at Mount Action Centre offering transport as well
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- 14/5/04 Daily Post:"Keeping children active is a way to beat obesity" Tips to support your kids' activities
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- 14/5/04 Westport News "Littlies lunch" photo Westport Kindergarten kids preparing ingredients for a soup lunch - the children also planted a new vegetable garden
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- 15/5/04 Hawke's Bay Today "Maori midwifery, health unit to open" in Flaxmere's shopping centre. Hastings-based Choices/Kahungunu Health Services also opened a clinic in Waipukurau a few months ago and has run the Central Hawke's Bay birthing unit since the health board planned to close it down earlier this year. Besides midwifery, the 'one-stop shop' would offer free contraceptive advice, sexual health checks, asthma and dental education, car seat rentals and smoking cessation - Choices also ran school nursing and Tamariki Ora/WellChild services
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- 15/5/04 Southland Times "Parents set example Southland Heart Foundation health promoter Linda Harris said
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- 16//5/04 The Tribune "Baby care builds for years to come” A healthy adulthood doesn't just happen... ...it comes through eating the right foods and exercise, according to Plunket
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- 16/5/04 The Tribune (Palmerston North) "Kids have to keep moving, study says” The development of both body and brain are strongly affected by physical activity in early childhood. A resource entitled An Introduction to Active Movement was released by SPARC, it was supported by the National Heart Foundation and developed in consultation with the Heart Foundation, Plunket, Te Kohanga Reo, the Ministries of Health and Education and other key organisations. Copies of the resource are being made available through regional sports trusts and at email: education@sparc.org.nz
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- 17/5/04 Kapiti Observer Paraparaumu Library set up displays for WellChild Week
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- 18/5/04 Waitomo News "WellChild Week helped by local health support" for Teddy Bears Picnic
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- 18/5/04 Franklin County News "Marae promotes WellChild focus" street display and information stall in Pukekohe's town square
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- 18/5/04 West Coast Messenger "Kids encouraged to get physical" Sport West Coast have funded $500 worth of active toys to go into toy libraries in Greymouth and Hokitika - the fit kits will come in bags that parents will get to hire for just a few dollars for up to 2 weeks. The kits contained crawling tunnels and just encouraged children to use their imaginations to have some fun
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- 18/5/04 Waitomo News "Great day for WellChild" letter from WellChild Coalition thanking parents and pre-school agencies for support Teddy Bears picnic held in Waitomo Cultural and Arts Centre Te Kuiti due to wet weather
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- 18/5/04 Taupo Times "A healthy message" Cafe for Youth Health along with Plunket attracting many mothers to the eye opening exhibits of measuring tubes displaying the amount of fat in certain meals
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- 18/5/04 Central Hawke's Bay Mail "Otane School" shared knowledge and asked lots of questions of Jill Renata of Te Whatuiapiti Trust and Jodi Tod of Sport Hawke's Bay
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- 19/5/04 West Coast Messenger kids getting involved in planting a vege garden
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- 19/5/04 The Aucklander "Generous fruit-fest for Papatoetoe West” Papatoetoe Kiwanis group gave out hundreds of bananas and apples to pupils at Papatoetoe West and East Primary Schools to celebrate WellChild Week
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- 19/5/04 The Coaster (Orewa - Auck) "New resource encourages kids to exercise - as above
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- 19/5/04 Cambridge Edition "Adding active play to your day” Provisional results of a University of Waikato survey indicate that over one third of Waikato children are not achieving the recommended levels of physical activity. The survey also found that on average Waikato children watch more TV than the rest of the country and buy their lunch more often
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