Sector Update
Sector Update
Kia ora tātou,
It's officially autumn which means we can get excited for the winter sports season.
I know many of you will be involved in the season transition. It’s a busy time and your mahi ensures that our tamariki and rangatahi enjoy their season to the fullest.
Earlier this month, we celebrated International Women’s Day and the chance to recognise the important contributions women make in our sector. You may have also seen that Aotearoa New Zealand has joined the Global Alliance for Female Athletes alongside Australia, the US and the UK. This is a great step towards ensuring our female athletes get the dedicated research and support they deserve. You can read more in this article on Lockerroom.
We also recently welcomed home the NZ Special Olympics team from the World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. For some of the athletes, this was their first time representing their country. And what a debut it was, with the team bringing home 7 medals!
In other news, the Sport Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui has released Aotearoa New Zealand’s first Code of Integrity for Sport and Recreation, which aims to create safer and fairer environments in sport and active recreation by setting consistent standards. You can read more about this below.
Lastly, a reminder that nominations are now open for the NZ Sport and Recreation Awards. I encourage everyone to think about who they might nominate so we can make sure great mahi in the sector is recognised.
Ngā mihi nui,
Raelene
Ngā kōrero o te wā – Latest news
New report: the future of disability sport and recreation
This new report was developed in partnership with Halberg Foundation, Paralympics New Zealand and Special Olympics New Zealand. It presents findings from a strategic foresight process aimed at better understanding and addressing future challenges for disabled New Zealanders in sport and active recreation. Discover key opportunities, emerging trends, and potential scenarios for creating a more inclusive sector.
Read more in the report.
Sport NZ 2025-2028 investments
Sport NZ has updated its investment approach for 2025-2028. The Regional Sports Directors Investment ($1.677m per year) aims to increase participation and satisfaction in secondary school sport. The Disability Investment ($983k per year) focuses on supporting disability organisations and providing quality physical activities for disabled tamariki and rangatahi. These initiatives will start on 1 July 2025.
New Integrity Code for the sport and recreation sector
The Sport Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui has released Aotearoa New Zealand’s first Code of Integrity for Sport and Recreation.
Its purpose is to create safer and fairer environments in sport and recreation by setting consistent standards that benefit everyone. It can be voluntarily adopted by sport and recreation organisations across the country.
Read more about the new Integrity Code.
Potential tax changes for charities and not-for-profits
Inland Revenue (IRD) is considering potential changes to the taxation of charities and not-for-profits. Many organisations in the play, active recreation and sport sector benefit from an income tax exemption for promoting amateur games or sports. There are no proposals to change this exemption, but other proposals could impact your organisation.
Read more on the potential changes and how to make a submission before 31 March 2025.
Ngā kaupapa me ngā whiwhinga – Events and opportunities
Now open: 2026 Sport NZ Graduate Programme
Applications are now open for the 2026 Sport NZ Graduate Programme. This paid, 2-year programme, starting in January 2026, offers graduates the opportunity to work across Sport NZ in research, investment, education, communications and programme delivery. Participants will receive mentoring and placements at sector organisations. Keep an eye out on Sport NZ's social media channels for information about the upcoming Q&A webinars in April with all our current graduates. Applications close 5pm on Sunday 4 May 2025.
Find out more and encourage talented rangatahi to apply today.
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) workshops: March – May 2025
Sport NZ, in partnership with Diversitas, is offering a series of free DEI online workshops from March to May 2025. These online workshops will equip you with the tools and knowledge to champion inclusivity in your role. The first online workshop kicks off on 31 March 2025 at 10am.
Find out more and register for the online workshops.
Ngā kōrero mō ngā hapori – Community stories
Strengthening connections through physical activity in Te Tairāwhiti
Last year, Active As schools in Te Tairāwhiti came together for 2 multiday interschool sport and cultural exchanges. Framed around local pūrākau (myths), these events strengthened community and cultural connections while encouraging more rangatahi to get involved in physical activities they enjoy, including those who are less active.
Check out the story and some fantastic videos shared by Whiti Ora Tairāwhiti.
Basketball for All Action Plan 2025-2027
Basketball NZ's Basketball for All Action Plan, launched in September 2024, aims to make the sport more inclusive. Early successes include a junior wheelchair basketball programme and an Inclusion Basketball League, showcasing the power of collaboration between regional sport organisations, ParaFeds and special needs schools.
Discover more insights in the Basketball for All Action Plan.
Te mana whakahaere – Governance
Swimming New Zealand awarded with the Governance Mark renewal
Congratulations to Swimming New Zealand for being awarded with the Governance Mark renewal this month. This award recognises their robust strategies and structures, and good governance practice in the play, active recreation and sport sector.
We encourage other organisations to also set themselves the challenge of external governance evaluation and prioritising their board’s development.
Mēnā kāore i kitea – In case you missed it
Essential resources for creating quality spaces and places
Have you seen the resources on our website for creating quality spaces for active communities? These resources are invaluable for anyone involved in the planning and design of sport and recreation spaces at local, regional or national levels.
Access practical frameworks, guides and tools to support your strategy and planning.
