Research & Insights
Active NZ Survey
Active NZ is a rolling nationwide survey funded and managed by Sport New Zealand. It provides valuable insights into how New Zealanders are currently engaging in sport and active recreation, with a point-in-time snapshot of participation across the country. The data is explored through the lenses of age, gender, ethnicity and deprivation, with results based on responses from over 27,000 Adults (18+) and 6,000 Young People (5-17 years). Topics covered include how, when and how much people are participating, drivers and barriers to participation, and perceived benefits to health and lifestyle.
Regional data has recently been released and the results are in; Wellington region is extremely active! 96% of Young People (5-17 years) participate in 10.4 hours of sport and active recreation per week, in an average number of 5.2 activities per week. 77% of Adults (18+) participate in 5.4 hours of sport and active recreation per week, in an average number of 2.4 activities
The Value of Sport
Sport NZ have explored the value of sport to New Zealanders, their communities, and our country, with the following conclusion: Sport and active recreation creates happier, healthier people, better-connected communities and a stronger New Zealand. The Value of Sport is based on extensive research, including a survey of around 2,000 New Zealanders and a review of previous studies from here and around the world.
Insights Tool
Sport NZ Insights Tool is a single repository of data and information from Statistics NZ, Education, Health, school sport, Sport NZ and others. It provides information on New Zealand demographics, demographics trends, participation data from the Active NZ Survey, information on sport in schools from the New Zealand Secondary Schools Sports Council data, as well as health information from the Ministry of Health. The tool is designed to help those operating in the sport and active recreation sector to better understand their participants and non-participants, and plan for future demand.
Research confirms physical activity has a positive impact on mental wellbeing:
New research by Sport New Zealand has shown that physically active Kiwis are more likely to have good mental health. People who do 2.5 hours of physical activity each week are 51% more likely to experience healthy mental well-being than those who don't. Additional mental health benefits occur as the hours, duration and intensity of recreational activity increases - from two to three days (24%), four days (18%) and five days (13%) per week.
Kiwis' participation in cultural and recreational activities
Stats NZ Tatuaranga Aotearoa have explored how many adult New Zealanders participate in cultural and recreational activities, what kinds of activities they engage in, and some broad characteristics of those who participate. They also look into the different types of groups, clubs and organisations that Kiwis belong to.
