Sector Update
Sector Update
Kia ora koutou,
How are we already at the end of February? Most parts of the motu have enjoyed some great weather this summer, meaning lots of opportunities to get out and stuck into sports and physical activity. The year’s flying by, and I know many of you will already be turning your attention to the upcoming winter sports season.
The Olympics and Paralympics really do feel like they’re just around the corner as our athletes continue their preparations for the Games, and it’s been great to see some excellent results on the world stage. This month we saw two Kiwi swimmers crowned world champions, with Lewis Clareburt and Erika Fairweather both securing gold at the World Swimming Championships in Doha. Meanwhile, Eliza McCartney and Tom Walsh also put in strong performances at the World Athletics Indoor Tour in Lievin, France. Congratulations and all the best to these four, and all our athletes, as they gear up for the Games later this year.
Celebrating the successes and achievements of our sporting community is something I really enjoy. The Halberg Awards earlier this month was a fantastic showcase of yet another successful year for New Zealand sport. Congratulations to everyone who received an award on the night, and a special shout out to Dame Lisa Carrington for winning her third Supreme Halberg Award.
While we’re on the topic of awards, I’m pleased to announce that entries for the 2024 NZ Sport and Recreation Awards open tomorrow (1 March). The awards recognise the outstanding mahi being done in communities across the country to enrich people’s lives through sport and physical activity. We also have a new award category this year – the Environmental Sustainability Award. Read on for more details below in this Sector Update, and have a think about who you’d like to nominate for an award.
As many of you know, we have continued to have some good discussions with our Minister, Hon Chris Bishop, who has endorsed our strategic direction and is a firm advocate for the benefits of physical activity at all levels. We’re looking forward to getting into the mahi for the next strategic period and working together towards our vision of Every Body Active.
Lastly, it’s been awesome to see the Z Manu World Champs making a splash across the motu, with people in Wellington, Hamilton, and Christchurch – and now Auckland – showing off their top manu skills. It’s been great to see people from all corners of the community coming together for a bit of fun, while being active at the same time, which is what it’s all about.
Ngā mihi,
Raelene
LATEST NEWS
Read about the latest news across Aotearoa.
Entries open for 2024 NZ Sport and Recreation Awards
The NZ Sport and Recreation Awards celebrate leadership in the sector and recognise outstanding contributions being made across the country to enhance people’s lives through physical activity.
This year sees a new award – the Environmental Sustainability Award – and we’ve combined the Community Impact Award to include all community initiatives from across the motu.
Now is your chance to make sure individuals and organisations you work with are recognised for their outstanding work at the awards ceremony on Monday, 24 June 2024 in Auckland. Entries open on 1 March 2024 and nominations are easy to submit through the Awards Portal.
The award categories for 2024:
- Commercial Partnership: awarded to an organisation that has formed an exceptional partnership with a commercial organisation for the benefit of sport and recreation.
- Community Impact: awarded to a project that positively impacts tamariki and/or rangatahi and their communities at a national, regional or local level.
- Environmental Sustainability: awarded to an organisation committed to driving environmentally sustainable practices in the play, active recreation and sport sector.
- Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion: awarded to an innovative initiative which supports diversity and inclusion within sport and recreation, such as access, participation, leadership and community connection.
- Jim Maniapoto Memorial Taonga – Excellence in impacting Māori participation as Māori: He tohu hei whakanuia i te tangata, te rōpū rānei i whakatīnanahia i te kaupapa i akiaki ai i te mana o te tangata. This award acknowledges an outstanding individual, group or organisation that contributes to whānau, hapū, iwi, Māori wellbeing through physical activity.
- Susie Simcock Future Leaders’ Scholarship: awarded to an individual leader, aged 40 or under, who has proven leadership skills and is committed to further development.
Key 2024 dates:
- Awards portal closes – 22 April
- Finalists announced – early June
- Awards evening – Monday 24 June
Check out the winners from 2023: Sport NZ Announces 2023 Sport and Recreation Award Winners | Sport New Zealand - Ihi Aotearoa.
Please contact Ann.Hill@sportnz.org.nz if you have any questions.
Media and gender study: Mid-year update 2023
The latest data from the Sport NZ-Isentia study of gender balance in sports news coverage is out now. This mid-year update shows women’s sport made up 25% of all sports news coverage from January to June 2023. With the hugely successful FIFA Women’s World Cup happening in the second half of 2023, we expect these results to climb even higher in our next report which will show data for all of last year.
Early testing begins on Code of Integrity for Sport and Recreation
Testing is underway on the Code of Integrity for Sport and Recreation. The Integrity Transition Programme (ITP) team has shared a draft version of the Integrity Code with a range of sector organisations to consider how it could work for them. We’re asking people to consider:
- The benefits and risks for their organisations of adopting the Integrity Code
- What changes, if any, they would need to make to implement the Integrity Code
- What support organisations might need at the point of adoption and beyond
- How the Integrity Code would work within their federated structure
- Any improvements they would suggest
This feedback will help inform further development of the draft Integrity Code, which will then be made available to all sector organisations and participants for review and feedback.
Aktive awarded Governance Mark renewal
Congratulations to Aktive who were awarded a three-year renewal of the Governance Mark standard. This takes the organisation to six years at the standard and is a deserved reward for the commitment shown by the Board and leadership.
The assessors feedback was positive, stating " during this process the Aktive Board have clarified their strategic outcomes and measures, but more importantly, they have done a really good job reflecting these in their Board work plan, strategic monitoring and reporting, business plan and budget. This means they have an organisation fully aligned to execute their strategy."
Congratulations to the team at Aktive for this achievement. You can find out more about the Governance Mark here.
EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Read about awesome events and opportunities happening around Aotearoa.
Z Manu World Champs
The buzz around the Z Manu World Champs has been incredible. The camaraderie, the cheers from the crowd, and the generations of participants having a go have been special to witness. But it’s not over yet, with our free Push Play sessions now rolling out in Auckland. It’s an opportunity for friends, workmates, and whānau to try a manu in a safe, fun, and supportive space. With music, Flava radio host Hads, and some Push Play goodies to give away, these sessions are fun for the whole family.
- 28-29 February and 4-7 March
- 3-8pm
- Karanga Plaza, Auckland Viaduct
For more information visit: Home - Z Manu World Champs - Where Legends Take Flight - MANU.
Youth Week grants now open
Know a young person with an epic idea for Youth Week 2024?
Together with Ministry of Youth Development – Te Manatū Whakahiato Taiohi, Sport New Zealand is supporting young people to bring their ideas for Youth Week to life through the Grant Programme.
Led by Ara Taiohi, Youth Week 2024 is about celebrating events and initiatives that are led by young people or are youth-focussed.
Applications are now open for the programme, to support youth-led and/or youth-focused initiatives/events that fit the Youth Week 2024 theme:
‘We may not have it all together, but together we have it all’
‘Māwherangi a tama roto ka taka, kāpuia ake ka pūrangiaho’
Applications close 9am, Monday 11 March 2024.
Yachting New Zealand and Sport NZ’s learning-through-sport modules feature at Moana Auckland
Yachting New Zealand, Sport NZ, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and Live Ocean have partnered to bring learning-through-sport activations to the Moana Auckland Festival from 24 February to 17 March at the Auckland viaduct. School students, teachers, and members of the public will be able to learn through hands-on activities and get active while helping to restore their local marine environment.
The activations are part of RŪNA - Yachting NZ’s wider school engagement framework – developed as part of Sport NZ Strengthen and Adapt investment and Sport NZ’s In Our Backyard.
World Wheelchair Rugby is coming to Wellington (20-24 March)
Eight wheelchair rugby teams from around the globe, including our very own Wheel Blacks, are coming to Wellington next month to compete for a spot at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The tournament will be broadcast live on Sky Open and live streamed on World Wheelchair Rugby's YouTube channel.
If you're in Wellington, head to the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport in Trentham, Upper Hutt to watch the action live. Admission is free for disabled New Zealanders and children. Check out the competition schedule and more information at: wwrpqt2024.com/volunteers/.
If you're interested in volunteering at the tournament in Wellington, visit the tournament volunteers page for more details.
Rainbow Games 2024 in Tāmaki Makaurau (4-8 April)
Are you ready to be part of a sporting event like no other? One that celebrates diversity, inclusion, and empowerment? The inaugural Rainbow Games in Tāmaki Makaurau brings together rainbow communities and their allies in a celebration of sports, recreation, and culture to promote acceptance and well-being.
Form a team with your workmates to participate in this celebration of unity or get involved as a volunteer. Find out more or register now at www.rainbowgames.co.nz. Registrations close 4 March so get in quick.
National Māori Sport and Recreation Wānanga (12-13 April 2024)
Are you passionate about the future of Māori in sport and active recreation? Be part of the discussion and help shape the future pathways for Māori.
Te Aupikiranga Aotearoa Ltd proudly presents the National Māori Sport and Recreation Wānanga, held on 12-13 April 2024 at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre (1170 Fenton Street, Rotorua).
Follow Te Aupikitanga Aotearoa Ltd on Facebook for all the wānanga updates on how to register and more. If you have any further pātai, please contact: natalie@qsol.co.nz
Supported by Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa.
COMMUNITY STORIES
Here are some stories from the community we didn’t want you to miss.
Spotlight on Balance is Better Champion, Tom Abercrombie
BNZ Breakers and Tall Blacks legend Tom Abercrombie has announced his retirement after nearly two decades with the NBL side. We recently sat down with Tom, who is also a Balance is Better Champion, to chat about his sporting journey, including the impact that coaches and parents had on him as a youngster and what quality sport means for youth.
Watch Tom’s video above and read our Q&A with Tom below.
Read more
Adaptive fitness classes empowering Hawke’s Bay communities
Disabled people in the Hawke’s Bay are realising their potential and improving their quality of life with adaptive fitness classes, thanks to former personal trainer Leana Becker, who founded Adaptive Whakauru Tahi (AWT) a year ago.
Leana now has five trainers working alongside her to engage with schools, community groups and disability groups throughout the Hawke’s Bay, offering free classes to the community.
How movement and play can unlock learning progress
Otonga Primary School Te Kura o Tihiōtonga in Rotorua is bringing learning to life through movement and encouraging tamariki to develop a love of physical activity in the process. Read about how the school has been supported by the Healthy Active Learning team at Sport Bay of Plenty in this article, which was also published in the latest issue of the Education Gazette.
GOVERNANCE
Incorporated Societies Act and Regulations
Sport NZ is committed to supporting the sector to work through the necessary changes required to meet the new Incorporated Societies Act and associated regulations.
To date we’ve shared a national constitution template and we can now share regional/club templates.
Our full suite of resources to help guide your process, is available online. This includes:
- National, regional and club constitution templates
- Guidance notes on how to use the templates
- FAQs
- Compliance Checklist
Through a phased approach, our advice remains for national organisations to get underway now while considering how regions can be supported where applicable.
Regions and clubs are reminded to contact their national organisation in the first instance.
For any questions you have please email governance@sportnz.org.nz
