Lay summary
The purpose of the research is to contribute to generating an evidence base around improving health outcomes for tamariki Māori through enrichment and best use of primary school natural envionments for the benefit of tamariki, their whānau and communities. The study will investigate how to maximise the use of kura outdoor spaces for health gain; connectedness between the domains of taiao, whānau, community, teaching and learning, and secure cultural identity. A kaupapa Māori methodology and co-creation approach in working with communities will be applied. The research will contribute to the development and scaling up of primary school years interventions for tamariki and their whānau that lead to improved health outcomes throughout life in areas of substantial ethnic inequality. Importantly the study will build the host organisation's research capacity.