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Kia Kaha (for years 4–6)

Through Kia Kaha students develop strategies for respectful relationships where bullying behaviours are not tolerated.

The New Zealand Police recommends that schools use the learning activities in Kia Kaha within a whole-school approach. Before running learning activities, please read information about implementing a whole-school approach as described in an whole-school approach as described in an implementation booklet (PDF, 1.4MB).

What students will learn

These year 4–6 resources will help students to learn:

  • about the impact of bullying
  • a range of personal skills to prevent bullying
  • what they can do if they have been or are being affected by bullying behaviour.

Four focus areas

The learning activities are arranged in four focus areas.

Focus area 1: You and me

Students learn about the rights and responsibilities that they have as class members, and understand how important it is to respect these. 

Focus area 2: Hurting

Students learn about the impact bullying has on long-term health and attainment of the victim. People who bully may have failed relationships and may end up breaking the law.

Focus area 3: Putting a stop to bullying

Students apply develop and practise a range of strategies to stop bullying. The school fosters a ‘telling’ ethos and will do something to stop bullying. The school’s policy on bullying is shared with the class.

Focus area 4: A cool community

Students create a hypothetical bully-free community and apply the understandings they have gained throughout the programme. 

Bullying-Free NZ resources

Police also recommend using activities from the school activity pack, which although developed for Bullying-Free NZ Week, can be used at any time of the year. It contains activities and initiatives that can be used with multiple age and class levels. 

The activities are designed to explore what bullying is, the types of bullying, and the feelings involved in a bullying incident; plus to help students think about who they can turn to for support.

Schools can pick and choose the activities that will work best for them and their students. Each activity can be used as a stand-alone short task, or schools can combine several for a longer session.