Sector Update
Sector Update
Kia ora koutou,
As Winter Tournament Week wraps up across Aotearoa, I want to recognise everyone who helps make these events happen. Behind the scenes, many people are creating opportunities for rangatahi to have fun, challenge themselves and stay active.
That feels timely with Global Coaches Day coming up. To the coaches, coordinators, administrators and many others who give their time, thank you. You make a real difference – not only in performance and skill development, but in the decisions young people make to stay in sport. In simple terms, if they have fun, improve their skills and feel included as part of the team, they are more likely to stay for another season, or even a lifetime.
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori this month is another reminder that belonging is built in simple ways. A “kia ora” at training, a mihi to open a meeting or one new word shared with your team can make someone feel welcome, seen and heard.
It’s been great to welcome several recently appointed chief executives, including a few familiar faces. We look forward to working alongside each of you, as we keep learning from one another and building a strong, connected sector.
It was a pleasure to welcome Rowena Davenport and Gina Mills to the Sport NZ Board at their whakatau in Wellington last month. They both bring strong governance capability and a deep background in community sport.
As always, thank you for the work you do every day.
Ngā mihi,
Raelene
New resources
Ngā rauemi hou
Your cultural confidence learning journey
Tū Te Wana is a free online learning journey on Sport Tutor for everyone in the play, active recreation and sport sector. Learn about Te Tiriti, te reo Māori, cultural context and engaging with Māori through practical, self-paced modules.
New insights into the club participant experience
What keeps people coming back to sport clubs? Explore the latest voice of participant results and what they tell us about the club experience.
New concussion course on Sport Tutor
Sport NZ and ACC have created a free online course to help adults recognise a possible concussion, know what to do next and support young people to return to sport safely. The self-paced course takes approximately 30 minutes.
Events and opportunities
Ngā kaupapa me ngā whiwhinga
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori: 14-20 September
The future of te reo Māori belongs to all of us. Discover how simple, everyday actions can help make te reo Māori visible, heard and valued – one more word than yesterday.
Get ready for Play Week 2026
Play Week 2026 runs from 19-25 October. This year’s theme is: whānau play, where whānau are – celebrating play and tākaro Māori in the places whānau already gather, belong and connect. We’re helping amplify locally led activity. If you have an event or activity planned for your community, let us know.
Take your play knowledge further
Hear how Active Play Ngā Mahi Tākaro (PAAH 512), the first play-focused university paper in Aotearoa, is helping people build their knowledge of play, mātauranga Māori and tākaro Māori, and how to apply that learning in communities across the motu.
Seminar: Physical activity and climate change
Join Sport NZ and Te Hau Kori, on 9 October for our next online seminar, Physical activity and climate change – Opportunities for adaptation and mitigation. Hear from experts exploring how climate action and physical activity can deliver shared benefits.
Governance
Te mana whakahaere
Women in sports governance website closing
The Appoint Better Boards website, connecting women to sector governance roles, will close at the end of September 2026. There is now a growing range of organisations, networks and services that support governance and leadership development.
In case you missed it
Mēnā kāore i kitea
Explore global ideas at play conference
Hear local and international perspectives on active play, inclusive recreation and community wellbeing at the International Play Association World Conference this November.
