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HAROLD THE GIRAFFE, WAIKATO
Empowering tamariki and rangatahi to make positive healthy lifestyle choices!
Life Education Trust Hamilton is one of many national trusts that help deliver the Life Education programme throughout New Zealand.
The Life Education Trust Hamilton is responsible for the area from Huntly to Hamilton City.
Our education program empowers children to make healthy choices so they can live full and healthy lives. Every year we teach children about their body, friendships, their identity, food and nutrition and helpful and harmful substances.
HELP US DELIVER THE LIFE EDUCATION PROGRAMME
Our education program empowers children to make healthy choices so they can live full and healthy lives. Every year we teach children about their body, friendships, their identity, food and nutrition and helpful and harmful substances.
PURCHASE YOUR VERY OWN HAROLD THE GIRAFFE MERCHANDISE ONLINE
WHY ARE WE SO IMPORTANT
Behaviours developed during childhood and early adolescence in part determine who you are and who you'll be as an adult.
Specialist health resources for schools
As a specialist health resource for schools, our Educators and Harold the giraffe work in mobile classrooms, seeing 85% of primary and intermediate schools.
We reach over 250,000 kids each year!
Every year 250,000 children take part in our programme. Our goal is to give children the knowledge they need to make healthy choices throughout their lives.
Helping kids to feel comfortable with their identity
We understand that mental health is critical for children growing up and work to help them feel comfortable with their identity, where they fit in, and where they belong. In this area we cover identity self-worth, resilience, peer pressure, the effects of bullying, and being aware of others.
You can help us reach more kids!
Get involved with Life Education and enable us to reach even more of our children! You'll help us to make a difference to the lives of more individuals as well as to the community. Your support of the work we do means, in time, generations of healthy, young New Zealanders will be able to be the best people they can possibly be.
CHALLENGES FOR OUR TAMARIKI
The mental health and wellbeing of tamariki shape their success in life. Unfortunately young people in New Zealand have poorer wellbeing than those in most OECD countries, ranking 35th of 38 on overall child wellbeing outcomes. This is why Life Education Trust exists.
In 2025 we reached over 5699 children in 22 schools in Hamilton!
For thousands of Hamilton children, Life Education Trust provides trusted education that helps them navigate the challenges of growing up.
Through engaging lessons with Harold the Giraffe, children learn about:
- Wellbeing and resilience
- Healthy relationships
- Making positive choices
- Respecting themselves and others
- Building confidence and emotional skills
These are life lessons that help children thrive — not just in the classroom, but throughout their lives.
Providing support in local communities without government support
In 30 years we’ve raised over $150m to provide our service in local communities without government support.
New Zealands largest health and well-being service provider to primary and intermediate schools
Over the last 30 years we’ve established ourselves as the largest health and well-being service provider to primary and intermediate schools in New Zealand. Schools continue to ask us to return to support their children.
The strategies children learn will have a flow on effect at school, at home, and later at high school.
Kīa tupu ai ēnei kakano hei rākau nui
May these tender seedlings grow into mighty trees
"Great facilitators - they are experts who create a very safe and engaging learning environment."
RESEARCH NZ 2023, WHITIKAHU SCHOOL
"I will really think about not telling lies. I will practice what I learned about negative peer pressure and hang about with better friends. I will keep away from violence."
BEN
Our Supporters
We're proud to be supported by generous Hamilton businesses and grants
Contact Us
General enquiries:
hamilton@lifeedtrust.org.nz or PO Box 1416 Hamilton 3240
Chairperson: Kirsty Findsen at chair.hamilton@lifeedtrust.org.nz
Educator: Nicky Ries
Fundraising: marketinghamilton@lifeedtrust.org.nz