The new resource - Climate Change: Prepare Today, Live Well Tomorrow - is from the Ministry of Education and is aimed at Level 4 teachers teaching children aged 7-10 about climate issues.
Suggestions for taking action include talking more about global warming, reducing electricity use and driving and flying less.
But it's a short blurb that suggests reducing meat and dairy intake that has riled the meat industry's lobby group, Beef + Lamb NZ.
The two-paragraph snippet says red meat and dairy production result in significantly more greenhouse gas emissions than chicken, fruit, veges and cereals.
Pupils could take action by cutting down on meat and eating more fruit and veges instead - including trying a meatless Monday each week.
Head of nutrition Fiona Windle said the group supported children being informed about climate change, and the resource was based on good intentions.
"However ... while 'reduce meat and dairy' is a popular sound bite to roll out, the implications on our youngest and most impressionable in society could be far-reaching and detrimental."
There was no reference to the Ministry of Health's eating guidelines and no discussion of the nutritional benefits that animal-based foods offered, she said.
One-third of young girls in New Zealand did not get enough iron each day, she said - "yet there is a blanket statement suggesting they should just 'reduce' their meat consumption".
A website with vegetarian recipes, OhMyVeggies.com, has also irked the organisation - as it is not a New Zealand website and its credentials were not clear.
The Ministry of Education deputy secretary early learning & student achievement Ellen MacGregor-Reid said these messages weren't new to the community.
"There is nothing in this resource that says it does not support our farming industry. The messages reflect advice that already exists such as being mindful of food consumption, among many other things including recycling and travel.
"We expect schools to consult with their local community when making decisions about how they deliver the curriculum. This resource is not a compulsory part of the curriculum.
"Awareness of the environment and our place in it is one part of the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC). Nutrition is covered in a different part of the curriculum."
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Comments
When are these people going to pull their head out of the sand. There is no doubt that meat consumption is a significant contributer to climate change. Own it and do something about it rather than whinge about it. Kiwis shouldn't be asked to hide from reality to support a sunset industry that is made up of big corporates...
We all know too much meat does us little good, Wise up farmers before you are forced to and grow crops for protein. You will do better economically in the long run and do good for the planet and your kids.