Research and insights

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 intelligence@sportnz.org.nz.

Active NZ 2022

Our nationwide participation survey on young people and adults

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

In its current form, Active NZ has been running since the beginning of 2017 and we have now collected six years’ worth of data. This gives us the opportunity to investigate any emerging trends, as well as offering a robust sample to dig into specific demographic audiences, as required.

The Active NZ 2022 – Changes in Participation report is now available. This report looks at how participation levels have changed in the years since the Active NZ survey began. The Active NZ – Updating the Participation Landscape report explores the results from 2022 through the lenses of age, gender, ethnicity, deprivation, and disability, and will be available by the end of August 2023.

The results from the 2022 Active NZ survey show that COVID-19 continues to have an impact on participation in physical activity in Aotearoa New Zealand. Overall participation levels for adults and rangatahi were down from 2021, while tamariki showed improved levels of participation. There were also increases in participation reported for key audiences such as young Asian and disabled tamariki.

These findings confirm the importance of Sport NZ’s strategic direction to ensure Every Body Active is realised, and that our current strategic focus areas remain relevant.

The New Zealand Participation Survey 2022

Active NZ: Changes in Participation

This report provides an update on the main participation indicators in play, active recreation, and sport in 2022 for New Zealanders aged 5-plus. It highlights changes in ways of participating and types of sports and activities participated in, as well as changes in barriers to participating and in selected attitudes.

Active NZ: Changes in Participation

The New Zealand Participation Survey 2022

Active NZ: Updating the Participation Landscape

The Active NZ – Updating the Participation Landscape report explores the results from 2022 through the lenses of age, gender, ethnicity, deprivation, and disability.

Active NZ: Updating the Participation Landscape

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.

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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.

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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

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

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.

Ensuring the sector is fit for the future

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

Featured resources

Surveys & Data

Active NZ

Our nationwide participation survey on young people and adults.

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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