Health and physical education in Aotearoa New Zealand: an open market and open doors?

Internationally, recent research has indicated that the health and physical education (HPE) curriculum has become at least to some extent 'an open market', with rapid growth in the number of external providers and diversity of resources targeted towards schools and teachers. This research acknowledges that the programmes and instruction offered by external organisations represents a significant change to the HPE landscape, albeit alongside an absence of research-based knowledge about the nature and extent of involvement of external organisations in the provision of HPE. The study examines and 'maps' the changing landscape of provision of HPE in Aotearoa New Zealand by exploring the number and type of HPE-associated programmes and resources 'available' to schools nationwide. It reveals an abundance of players in the 'HPE market'. Analysis of data explores the composition of the providers, programmes and resources. Discussion considers the implications of the data in relation to HPE curriculum and pedagogy; who is deemed a legitimate teacher of HPE; and how policy and provision appear to be shaped by government and corporate voices.