Research and insights

Te rangahau me ngā māramatanga

We conduct research and provide insights to help you understand how people in Aotearoa New Zealand are participating, so you can use evidence to make participant focused decisions.

What motivates one person to be active might be a barrier to another. That’s why we conduct research into how different people get active and what prevents them from doing so. We have been collecting data on a continuous basis through the Main Active NZ survey since January 2017, and our monthly Active NZ survey helps us understand different participant groups. Dip deeper into our evidence-based case studies, which highlight initiatives to keep communities active.

Have a question? Contact our team at research@sportnz.org.nz.

Active NZ 2023

Our nationwide survey of participation in play, active recreation and sport for New Zealanders aged five and over.

Every month we survey a sample of New Zealanders registered on the electoral roll through our research partner Verian to tell us about the sports and activities they do and what they think about being active.

We now have seven years’ worth of data from Active NZ and can identify longer term trends and better explore specific demographic groups to monitor progress against our strategy.

Participation Trends 2017-2023 and Snapshot of the Participation Landscape 2023 reports

The Active NZ – Participation Trends 2017-2023 and the Active NZ – Snapshot of the Participation Landscape 2023 reports are now available below. The reports are complementary and should be read alongside each other. The Participation Trends report explores how the play, active recreation and sport landscape has changed since 2017, and the Landscape report is an up-to-date snapshot of the New Zealand participation landscape in 2023.

These reports support the long-term outcomes and goals identified in our 2032 Strategic Direction and are timely as Sport NZ enters its Strategic Plan 2024-2028. Our focus remains on maintaining and growing the activity levels of tamariki and rangatahi. We also want to provide more opportunities and better experiences to groups that are currently missing out and doing less, such as disabled people, women and girls and Māori.

COVID-19 a significant disruptor

Key findings from the Participation Trends report 2017-2023 show that COVID-19 has been a significant disruptor to participation in play, active recreation and sport in New Zealand, with the effects continuing into 2023.

Following a period of stable activity levels for tamariki and rangatahi, pre-COVID-19, tamariki have increased their activity levels, whereas rangatahi activity levels have been declining. This is reflected in behaviour and several long-term attitudinal trends for rangatahi, such as a weakening relationship with sport and attitudes towards being active.

It is a mixed picture for adults who have not sustained the higher participation levels of 2021 and in 2023, these fell to below pre-COVID-19 levels.

The Snapshot of the Participation Landscape report highlights inequities in play, active recreation and sport by age, gender, ethnicity, deprivation and disability.

The New Zealand Participation Survey 2017-2023

Active NZ: Participation Trends

This report highlights how activity levels, attitudes and preferences have changed over seven years in play, active recreation and sport for New Zealanders aged 5 and over.

Active NZ: Participation Trends 2017-2023

The New Zealand Participation Survey 2023

Active NZ: Snapshot of the Participation Landscape

A snapshot of the 2023 New Zealand play, active recreation and sport landscape for New Zealanders aged 5 and over. Selected results are explored through the lenses of age, gender, ethnicity, deprivation and disability.

Active NZ: Snapshot of the Participation Landscape 2023

3 teens, 2 in wheelchairs playing tennis on a court

Data Visualisation Tool

Our new Data Visualisation Tool provides the sector with access to relevant information from Sport NZ’s Active NZ survey.

The tool displays data that has been collected between 2017- 2019 and 2021-2023. There was a pause in data collection in 2020 due to disruption by the Covid-19.

Built on the software platform Power BI, the tool allows you to delve into data across New Zealand and specific to your region. The dashboard will also help you drill down by survey year, young people or adult survey, gender, age, ethnicity and disability.

Research & Insights

Surveys and data

Data from our Active NZ surveys, together with other commissioned and collected research, has allowed us to put together stats and understanding into what affects and impacts activity levels for specific population groups.

Learn More

Research & Insights

Participant group insights

We've taken our research and insights and split it into a number of different demographics to help you understand why some people are less active.

Learn more

Research & Insights

Case studies

Take a look at our case studies that highlight initiatives that use evidence and respond holistically to meet the needs of individuals and their communities.

Case studies

Ensuring the sector is fit for the future

In May 2019 Sport New Zealand began investigating the future of play, active recreation and sport in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Impacts of the first year of COVID-19 on physical activity

Sport NZ has published a study into the impact of the COVID-19 which shows the pandemic has severely affected participation in physical activity across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Impacts of the first year of COVID-19 on physical activity

Healthy Active Learning Evaluation: July 2020-March 2021

Healthy Active Learning is a joint government initiative between Sport New Zealand and the Ministries of Health and Education to improve the wellbeing of tamariki through healthy eating and drinking and quality physical activity. Part of the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy, Healthy Active Learning is supported by a Government investment of $47.6m between 2020-2024.

This evaluation shows how well Healthy Active Learning is being implemented and progressing toward achieving its outcomes.

Healthy Active Learning Evaluation: July 2020-March 2021

Funding and the economic value of play, active recreation and sport research

Social Return on Investment (SROI) Report

The SROI study shows that recreational physical activity generates significant value for society across multiple wellbeing domains and outcomes. The study will help the sector better understand, demonstrate, and communicate the contribution of recreational physical activity to the wellbeing of people living in Aotearoa New Zealand. This includes understanding the value to Māori participating as Māori, explored within a Te Ao Māori worldview.

Social Return on Investment (SROI) Report

The Economic Value of Sport and Active Recreation 2023

This study measures the sport and active recreation sector’s economic value in its broadest sense (it includes consumer spending on sport and recreation as well as the employment that sport and recreation provides). The study commissioned in 2023, complements our earlier study on the Social Return on Investment (SROI) of recreational physical activity.

The Economic Value of Sport and Active Recreation 2023

Funding our play, active recreation and sport sector

As part of a project to improve our understanding of how the play, active recreation and sport system is funded in New Zealand, Sport NZ commissioned the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) to analyse the funding that flows into the system each year and how this has changed over time.

Funding our play, active recreation and sport sector

How the play, active recreation and sport sector is changing

We have recently completed several research reports into the funding and economics of the play, active recreation and sport system, and the participation habits of New Zealanders. This report draws on the latest research and summarises the key trends shaping the play, active recreation and sport sector in Aotearoa New Zealand. It also includes practical suggestions about how organisations can be more sustainable and build resilience into the future.

2024 Trends report

Featured resources

Surveys & Data

Active NZ

Our nationwide participation survey on young people and adults.

Learn more

Surveys & Data

Insights Tool

The Insights Tool combines multiple data sources to help guide decision-making in the sport and recreation sector.

Insights tool

Participant Groups

Children and young people