Sector Update
Sector Update
Kia ora tātou,
I hope everyone is well and had a good break with whānau and friends over the past long weekends. It’s been great to see winter sport kick into gear and I am sure everyone will be getting ready for the season ahead.
As school starts back for term 2, May provides the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of rangatahi during Youth Week. From 19-25 May, we’ll be sharing some of the active events organised by young people for Youth Week, led by Ara Taiohi.
Speaking of (slightly older) rangatahi, applications for Sport NZ’s Graduate Programme close soon. If you know any recent graduates keen to develop their leadership skills and open opportunities for a career in our sector, please encourage them to apply.
Earlier this year, I shared an update on the Independent Rapid Review report for the Sport NZ Group. We expect to be able to share it by the end of May.
Finally I want to congratulate the participants of the Waka Ama Long Distance Nationals held over ANZAC weekend in Porirua, commemorating those who made sacrifices in the war. It’s special to see the role sport can play in bringing communities together to remember and inspire today's tamariki and rangatahi.
Ngā mihi nui,
Raelene
Ngā kōrero o te wā – Latest news
National sport facilities strategy
The Sport NZ Group is developing a strategy to help guide planning and investment for New Zealand’s national-level sport facilities, stadiums and high performance training venues. We have begun engaging with stakeholders and plan to share a draft of the strategy by August 2025. Thank you to the National Sports Organisations who have contributed to our thinking so far. Updates will be available on the Sport NZ website and in this newsletter.
Ngā kaupapa me ngā whiwhinga – Events and opportunities
Youth Week: 19 – 25 May 2025
Celebrate the incredible talents, passion and achievements of rangatahi during Youth Week! Led by Ara Taiohi, Youth Week is a great opportunity to highlight the contributions of young people in your community and reflect on how you involve them in your mahi. The Youth Voices in Active Recreation and Sport guide can help with this.
Applications closing soon for the 2026 Sport NZ Graduate Programme
Applications for the 2026 Sport NZ Graduate Programme are closing in 3 days! This is a unique opportunity for talented rangatahi to grow their leadership skills in this paid, 2-year programme starting in January 2026. If this sounds like someone you know, encourage them to apply today. Applications close midday, Sunday 4 May 2025.
Ngā rauemi hou – New resources
Targeted rates for sport and recreation facilities
We engaged KPMG to create a report on using targeted rates to fund regional and sub-regional sport and recreation facilities. Regional targeted rates offer councils a way to generate revenue across territorial authority boundaries, encouraging council collaboration. This report can help councils and Regional Sports Trusts discuss and decide on targeted rates.
Sector assumptions monitor
Sport NZ provides an annual monitor that tracks confidence in key beliefs shaping critical thinking within the sport and recreation sector. It highlights recent changes and their impact on planning and helps ensure decisions are based on credible assumptions, reducing risks from outdated or untested beliefs.
Ngā kōrero mō ngā hapori – Community stories
Principal transforms school with new play opportunities
Marshall Laing Primary School has refreshed play under David White's leadership, creating diverse spaces where tamariki explore, build social skills and collaborate. Risky play has opened new ways for tamariki to learn and interact, with benefits extending into their classroom experiences, community connections and overall hauora (wellbeing).
One teacher's mission to integrate and revitalise PE
A year ago, Rhode Street School faced low sports participation and limited PE resources. Thanks to Arti Raju’s leadership, the school is now buzzing with activity, new equipment and student leadership opportunities. Physical activity is integrated across learning, increasing wellbeing, reducing behavioural issues and reigniting pride in regional sports competitions.
Te mana whakahaere – Governance
Re-registration for Incorporated Societies
Less than 12 months remain for all incorporated societies to re-register under the Incorporated Societies Act by April 2026. If you don’t re-register by this date, your organisation will lose its incorporated status, which has several important implications. We have various resources to help you meet the deadline, including updated national, regional and club templates and FAQs with more information on indemnity and insurance, the Integrity Code, disputes resolution and IRD requirements for tax exemptions. Additionally, you can join a webinar for clubs on 13 May 2025, 12.15pm-1pm.
Guidance for charitable trusts
With recent changes to the incorporated societies environment, some sport and recreation organisations are reviewing their legal structure. If your organisation is considering a change to become a charitable trust, these guidance notes will help you understand charitable trusts and whether it might be the right structure for your organisation.
