The Gut Foundation NZ, with the incredible support of platinum sponsor Foodstuffs South Island Community Trust, is delivering an extraordinary educational experience, captivating tamariki with a hands-on, multi-sensory journey into the world of gut health.
This groundbreaking event, taking place in Christchurch, is part of a larger initiative to bring vital gut health education to primary schools across New Zealand. Designed to ignite curiosity and inspire lifelong wellness, Gut Feelings transforms complex scientific concepts into an interactive, engaging, and fun-filled learning adventure.
From start to finish, the event is a feast for the senses. At the highly popular “Feed the Team” station, tamariki delight in spoon-feeding blindfolded Crusaders players an array of gut-friendly foods, sparking laughter and reinforcing the importance of nutritious choices. Meanwhile, an immersive garden installation by Oke Charity encourages children to get their hands dirty, exploring the vital connection between healthy soil, fresh produce, and gut health.
Adding to the excitement, an innovative Villi Wall allows children to physically interact with how nutrients are absorbed - and learn essential information from Coeliac New Zealand about managing coeliac disease. The exhibition also features a holographic digestive journey, interactive food tasting stations, a larger-than-life blow-up colon, and an engaging digital food game where kids race to power up their microbiomes with the right foods.
Alice Fitzgerald, CEO of the Gut Foundation, emphasizes the power of collaboration in making this event a reality. “By working alongside Oke Charity, Life Education, Bowel Screening Canterbury, Coeliac New Zealand, and the Crusaders Foundation, we are able to create a truly impactful experience that will leave a lasting impression on our tamariki.”
The event concludes with a special networking session where sponsors and partners experience the exhibition firsthand. Attendees are also treated to insightful keynote presentations from esteemed nutrition experts Bronwyn Hudson and Dr. Julia Rucklidge. Gut Foundation Ambassador Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson adds to the energy, passionately advocating for the foundation’s mission to drive generational change in gut health awareness.
The Gut Foundation NZ is setting its sights on expanding this initiative into a larger public exhibition. “We are excited about continuing our work to empower tamariki and their whānau with essential knowledge for lifelong gut health”, says Fitzgerald. “We are actively shaping a healthier future for the next generation of New Zealanders”.
Article provided by Alice Fitzgerald, CEO Gut Foundation NZ