Sexual Health / Hauora Taihema

WAVE Resource Centre

Check out our sexual health / hauora taihema resources.

Positive sexuality is fundamental to our sense of self, self-esteem and ability to lead a fulfilling life. Only a small part of healthy sexuality is about what happens physically. Equally important is our ability to maintain healthy relationships and to manage our feelings in a safe and positive manner.

Healthy sexuality begins at birth and covers the entire life-span. While acknowledging parents as first educators, the elements important for a whole of setting approach to positive sexuality include relevant, comprehensive, age-appropriate education, provision of a safe and nurturing environment, partnerships with and access to health services and pathways, a focus on the development of social skills and should consider the attitudes, culture, values and diversity of individuals, families and your wider community.

“Young people need the knowledge and skills to navigate a context where they are exposed to a broader range of sexuality-related content at an earlier age than previously. Without appropriate knowledge and skills, young people are at risk of developing unhealthy attitudes towards sexuality, increasing risks to mental and physical wellbeing of themselves and others. Most schools are teaching the mechanics of sex and safe sex, but there’s a lack of focus on relationships, consent, gender identity, digital technologies, sexual violence and pornography. Good sexuality education can have a significant impact on student wellbeing, achievement and success - at all year levels of the curriculum there’s a strong focus on respectful relationships”.

ERO Group Manager Evaluation Services Dr Deirdre Shaw.
Reference: www.ero.govt.nz - How well are NZ schools promoting wellbeing for their students through sexuality education

What WAVE can do:

Keep education settings up to date with relevant information and curriculum resources e.g. NZHEA teaching resources
Promote resources and information available on the WAVE website
Organise professional development to support delivery of sexuality education
Support a whole setting approach to the development of positive sexuality, friendships and relationships in children and young people
Provide ideas for the whānau consultation process

Research

Initial results from a 2015 survey of over 10,000 New Zealanders aged 15 years and over, show that half of all New Zealanders, have had sex by the time they are 17 years old, however today’s younger people are much more likely to use condoms with their first sexual encounters – 80% up from less than 40% in the 1970s[i]. Condom use is vitally important for both preventing unwanted pregnancies as well as preventing sexually transmitted infections – particularly in light of recent increases in the number of people with syphilis.