Embrace new experiences – awhitia te wheako hou, see opportunities – kimihia ngā ara hou, surprise yourself – me ohorere koe i a koe anō.

A love of learning as a child can prevent depression in later years.

Learning, remaining curious and setting goals are important for everyone at every stage of life. It helps children’s brains to grow healthy and strong, helps them to learn social skills and community values.

Try something new or rediscover an old interest. Sign up for a course or take on a different responsibility at work. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving - seek out new experiences and dare yourself!

📖 Learn something you don’t know about your hometown or local area.

📖 Write a bucket list – then try something you have always wanted to do but never actually done!

📖 Learn a new skill – it could be anything from learning how to change a tyre to how to care for pot plants.

📖 Talk to children about what they’re learning about at school – kids love sharing what they’ve learnt and you’ll learn something new.

📖 Try to identify one new plant a week – can you learn its name in English and Māori?

📖 Discover the name of the iwi, hapu, maunga and awa of the place you live.

📖 Memorise a new word every week. Practice using it among friends and family.

📖 Make a list and try to read one new thing a month - you might like to borrow the books from your local public library.

📖 Learn about te maramataka - the Māori lunar calendar, and how Māori use it to guide their daily lives.