A Census of Sun Protective Shading at Outdoor School Pools in Aotearoa/New Zealand

This national benchmark study evaluates shade provision at outdoor school pools across Aotearoa New Zealand (A/NZ) using aerial imagery and photographs. Findings reveal a lack of shade cover over water and supervision zones in ≈90% of pools, regardless of geographic location or equity funding level. Additionally, half of all pools lack shade over spectator zones, with notable disparities observed between schools receiving higher equity-based funding and more affluent counterparts. Portable shade solutions were more common than permanent installations. These findings found little sun protection infrastructure at school pools throughout A/NZ, suggesting a need for targeted policy interventions and resource allocation to improve sun safety for students and staff.