Shortland Street Badboy Has a New 'Habit ' for Kiwi Kids

TK launches healthy new DVD
SHORTLAND Street star Te Kohe Tuhaka - aka resident bad boy Kingi - is as good as they get when it comes to developing healthy eating habits for New Zealand children.

When trained chef TK isn't creating havoc on Shortland Street, you'll find him whipping up meals on the TV show Cool Kids Cooking or preparing meals for his young son Phoenix.  Now, he's lending his skill to a positive new project aimed at getting all New Zealand kids off to a great start in life through nutrition.

Little Sprouts, a DVD developed by Wyeth Nutrition and freely available to all early childhood education centres throughout New Zealand, aims to promote optimal nutrition for infants (6-12 months) and toddlers.

The DVD will be launched next Wednesday, September 10, and TK will demonstrate healthy recipes that can be prepared in child care centres or by parents at home.

Experts in nutrition and early childhood education will be in attendance. Dr Cath Conlon, from the Institute of Food Nutrition and Human Health at Massey University, will speak about the importance of good nutrition for infants and young children.

"Optimal nutrition is really critical during the first two years of life because of its effect on brain growth, the development of the nervous system, overall growth and development and future health," said Dr Conlon.

Amalaini Ligalevu, President of the Pacific Island Early Childhood Council and Sue Walker, Past Vice President of the Early Childhood Council will discuss the role of the DVD in the Early Childhood Education setting.

"We know that healthy children learn better, are stronger, more productive and better able to realise their full potential.  With the use of formal childcare increasing, staff in these centres can have a dramatic impact on the health and nutrition of New Zealand children.  Little Sprouts gives them the tools they need to play an active role in this area," Ms Walker said.

TK believes cooking is an important way to get children interested in nutritious food.

"I started cooking at an early age and I think it's a great way to help encourage good eating habits.  I want to show people that meal times can be fun and that healthy recipes can be simple, tasty and affordable."

TK says his role in the Little Sprouts project and his commitment to healthy lifestyle away from the set of Shortland Street is the complete antithesis of his role as party boy, gangster Kingi on the drama.

"My character's lifestyle is pretty unhealthy, but the way I live my life away from the set couldn't be more different.  Because of my interest in food, I make a real effort to look after the nutritional needs of my family and I hope my involvement in this project can help promote good health and nutrition in other Kiwi kids too."

Little Sprouts is an informative and interactive programme that supports optimal nutrition for infants (6-12 months) and toddlers and promotes life-long dietary habits.  The DVD resource divided into three sections - watch, read & play:

Watch - Contains educational information, presented in colourful slides.
Read - Contains fact sheets on topics ranging from good dental hygiene to the role of Vitamin D in healthy development.  These printable fact sheets are designed to be sent home to parents.
Play - Contains ideas for children's games and activities that are designed to encourage healthy food choices.  There are also interactive games for children to play.

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For further information please contact:

Laura Taggart
Wyeth Australia
P: + 61 2 8850 8161
M: +61 407 457 686
E:  taggarl@wyeth.com