Code Club Aotearoa

19/05/2026

Calling all Code Club leaders!

We know your kids have some pretty cool projects on the go. Why not have them enter Coolest Projects 2026? This global technology showcase is open to young people all over the world. Your Code Club tamariki could have their projects featured in the global project gallery, receive feedback, and earn certificates. There will also be a celebration livestream on the 24th of June.

Entering something like coolest projects and having their work included in the gallery can motivate and encourage young creators, boosting their confidence. The Coolest Projects 2025 Impact report found that 83% of young people felt inspired to continue learning and participating in computing after taking part, and that number alone is well worth it!

Follow the link in the comments for more information about Coolest Projects 2026. Submissions close on the 27th of May.

28/04/2026

A fun and easy activity to have available in Code Club this week! 👇

🌺 Did your ākonga enjoy learning about Anzac Day? Keep the kōrero going with Collecting Poppies - a fun Scratch activity where tamariki program their very own poppy-collecting game!

🎒https://shorturl.at/LLpVS

They'll get hands-on with variables, randomness and game design - all in one lesson, all for free! Perfect for Year 5–8 💻

19/04/2026

ANZAC day is coming, and you know we love a topical tech teaching resource! Follow the link in the comments for our collection of ANZAC-themed digital technologies lesson ideas, using several favourite programmes as well as an unplugged option.

Now's also a great time to brush up on some te reo! Here are some words and phrases to help you talk about ANZAC day in te reo Māori:

Te Rā o Ngā Hōia: Soldiers Day/Servicemembers Day

Te Rā Maumahara ki ngā Hōia o Ahitereiria me Aotearoa: Day to Remember the Soldiers/Servicemembers of Australia and New Zealand

Te Rā Whakamahara ki ngā Hōia o Ahitereiria me Aotearoa: Remembrance Day for the Soldiers/Servicemembers of Australia and New Zealand

Te Rā Whakamaumahara i Te Hononga Ope Kātua o Ahitereiria me Aotearoa: Memorial Day for the Australia New Zealand Army Corps

30/03/2026

The 2025 Reach and Impact Report for Digital Future Aotearoa has been released! Code Club Aotearoa made a splash last year, and we're proud of what we've achieved: 256 clubs across the country and 3,328 tamariki registered. We couldn't do it without the 480 incredible volunteers leading and hosting these groups.

One student, Max, had this to say about something he was working on:

“This is my passion project. I think it will take me about 1 to 2 1⁄2 years to finish because of how complex it is. I want to be a computer engineer designing CPUs. Hopefully, this is just the start.”

So great to hear, Max! Digital skills are not only crucial for everyday life, but can open up new horizons career-wise. We are wishing the absolute brightest future to all of our Code Club participants.

See the full report linked in the comments, and head to codeclub.nz to sign up to volunteer or host in 2026. We'd love to have you on board!

24/03/2026

The internet is a fantastic tool! We love to see our tamariki use it to fuel their creativity, as long as they're safe, confident, and in control.

Code Club leaders should check out our blog post (linked in the comments) containing simple tips for staying safe online. With a series of basic dos and don'ts around privacy, AI, and behaviour, it will help you help your students to form safe internet habits.

17/03/2026

This gets us moving!! ☘️ 💃 Why not give it a go with your coders?

Happy Saint Patrick's Day to all who celebrate 💚

26/02/2026

Sphero hardware is an ideal one to play with while the weather is still warm! These spherical robots can roll about according to your programmed commands, making them a very fun and engaging Code Club activity for tamariki.

Sphero bots are waterproof, opening up some marvellous maritime opportunities. Take a look at the link in the comments for the many activities you can enjoy with Sphero bots, including the swim series which will make a real splash with club members!

27/01/2026

Wondering what a Code Club could achieve for your school? Here are a few solid reasons to establish one! Code Clubs can:

• Empower students with skills for the future
• Foster creativity, collaboration, and community
• Connect students within the tech industry
• Support digital literacy and tech confidence

Our clubs are also fun for all involved, and a great way to close the digital divide. Read the blog linked in the comments for more about why your school needs a Code Club and get in touch to talk about how you can get one up and running in 2026.

19/01/2026

Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery School, a kura that embraces self-directed learning and student-led exploration, is the perfect partner for Code Club! It's fantastic to see tamariki taking the lead in their coding adventures just as they do in their regular learning.

Last year we spoke with Dimitri who leads the Ao Tawhiti Discovery School Code Club, discussing what makes the school special, the history of Code Club at the school, and the coding work that tamariki are doing there.

"One of our standout projects involved a girl who used Micro:bits to build a math bot. The project was built on random number generation and multiplication, allowing students to practice math interactively. She was incredibly proud of her creation and showcased it to everyone at school and home, treating it like a smart little pet bot! This not only boosted her confidence but also inspired her peers and whānau."

Follow the link in the comments to read the full blog!

21/12/2025

Meri Kirihimete from the Code Club team! Wishing you joy, safety, and relaxation over the holiday period, and see you all in 2026.

11/12/2025

As the year draws to a close, we have to take the opportunity to say a huge THANK YOU to the people who make Code Club happen.

🙏🙏🙏

There are so many kaimahi out there who put in the hours to make sure that tamariki across the country are gaining tech skills that will open doors.🚪

💗To all of our volunteers, librarians, kaiako, hosts, and everyone else who's helped to shoulder the load in 2025: we see you, appreciate you, and couldn't do it without you.💗