Sector Update
Sector Update
Kia ora koutou,
September was a busy month for our sector. Across Aotearoa, our core cohort of people came together for the Secondary School Sport Conference and Healthy Active Learning National Hui to challenge their thinking and share ideas on helping tamariki and rangatahi stay active, healthy and connected. We will all go back to our environments enriched after these engagements.
It was great to see so many of you get involved in Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. Every new word learned at work and every use of te reo Māori helped make the language more familiar in our communities and Māori feel more included in our physical activity environments.
There's plenty more to look forward to this month, including Play Week from 19-25 October.
For many of us, play was our first experience of being active. We played for fun, tried things without worrying about getting them right and began building a lifelong relationship with physical activity. Tākaro Māori makes play in Aotearoa unique, connecting tamariki and whānau with their identity, culture and whakapapa.
The places around us also play an important role in supporting active lives. Our new Every Body Active by Design guide helps communities create environments that make play, walking and everyday movement easier.
Whether you create active environments or organise opportunities for tamariki and whānau to play, I encourage you to use the guide, take part in Play Week 2026 and invite others to get involved.
Ngā mihi,
Raelene
Latest news
Ngā kōrero o te wā
Countdown to Play Week 2026
Play Week kicks off on Monday 19 October. This year's theme celebrates play and tākaro Māori in the places whānau already gather, belong and connect. Share your local events with us on social media using #playweek26. More details coming soon.
Health and Physical Education curriculum released
The Ministry of Education has released the finalised Health and Physical Education (HPE) Curriculum for Years 0-10. We're pleased to see several aspects of the curriculum reflect feedback from Sport NZ and partner organisations.
New resources
Ngā rauemi hou
Every Body Active by Design guide
Discover practical ways to create urban places that help make everyday movement easier, safer and more enjoyable. Explore our new Every Body Active by Design guide and check out the upcoming online webinar or in-person seminar below to learn more.
Social return on investment report: Mt Roskill
This new report estimates the wider community benefits of a proposed artificial turf in Mt Roskill, Auckland. See how year-round access could support participation in sport, youth development and stronger community connections.
Creating more opportunities for girls in sport
Discover how Taranaki Secondary Schools Sports Association used data, student voice and school partnerships to better understand girls' experiences in sport and increase participation.
What’s influencing sport and recreation?
From affordability and climate pressures to AI, integrity and inclusion, this scan highlights the trends shaping play, active recreation and sport, and what they could mean for the sector.
Events and opportunities
Ngā kaupapa me ngā whiwhinga
Webinar: Introduction to active design
Join us on Wednesday 28 October for an introduction to active design. Hear from the team behind our new Every Body Active by Design guide and explore how the urban environments we create can support everyday movement and more active lives.
In-person seminar: Active places and spaces
Join Sport NZ and Te Hau Kori on Thursday 12 November in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington for an in-person seminar. Meet international expert Jasper Schipperijn and local specialist Scott Duncan as they look at how places and spaces can support physical activity, wellbeing and connected communities.
Say Yes to Play
Looking for new ideas to support play at home or in your neighbourhood ahead of Play Week? Say Yes to Play is a series of 3 short online learning modules that can help make these school holidays more playful for the whole whānau.
Celebrating people who make a difference through sport
This year, 2 ISPS Handa Halberg community awards recognise outstanding contributions to sport. The Bunnings Community Sport Volunteer Award celebrates volunteers who have made a difference to their sporting community, while the Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award recognises people making an impact through disability sport. Nominations close on 31 October.
