To celebrate International Literacy Day, Mokopuna Ora are launching a nationwide competition for tamariki and rangatahi between the ages of 5 and 18. Started by the United Nations in 1967, International Literacy Day builds awareness of the importance of literacy for all people to flourish. This competition aims to connect Aotearoa New Zealand to this global movement, centred on the theme of tamariki and rangatahi views on well-being.

Entries must be the student’s own and can be submitted as a written, visual, digital, or creative piece of work. The topics for the age groups are:

5-7 Years

If you were a superhero whose special power was to make everyone happy

and healthy, what would your superhero name be? Describe a day in the life

of your superhero self and how you bring well-being to the world.

8-10 Years

Imagine you have a magic backpack that can fit anything in it that helps you

feel happy and healthy every day. Tell us about the special items you would

put in your magic backpack to make sure you always have well-being and

happiness with you.

11-14 Years

If you had the power to grant one well-being-related wish for your school or

community, what would it be, and how would it make a positive impact?

Entries will be judged in the four age categories above on the basis of insight and

authenticity of voice. 

Winners will be announced on World Children’s Day (November 20th 2023) and will receive an age-appropriate well-being prize bundle valued at $500 each. 

To celebrate the University of Canterbury’s 150th anniversary there are also 150

book vouchers valued at $50 for stand-out entries. 

For full competition details and instructions on how to submit entry go to:https://tinyurl.com/MokopunaOra.

Entries must be received by 4 pm on Monday 30 October.

The competition is being run by Te Kāhui Pā Harakeke—The Child Well-being Research Institute at the

University of Canterbury. The vision for the Child Well-being Research Institute is to lead real-world research

that transforms the waiora (well-being) of mokopuna in Aotearoa. One of our most significant initiatives is the

Better Start Literacy Approach, which has now supported 35,000 tamariki through a 10-week literacy approach

and provided professional development for close to 3,500 teachers in early years literacy. If your school would

like more information on the Better Start Literacy Approach, please email askbsla@canterbury.ac.nz