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 2021

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 you do and what you think about being physically active.

In its current form, Active NZ has been running since the beginning of 2017 and we have now collected five 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.

We have two new Active NZ 2021 reports: Changes in Participation and Updating the Participation Landscape.

The continuous data collection during 2020 was disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, creating a gap in time series data. Therefore, the insights contained within these reports will focus on either:

any emerging trends across 2017, 2018, 2019 and then 2021
updating the participation landscape in 2021.

Participation during 2021 was affected by restrictions imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Alert Levels fluctuated throughout the year and regional variations in Alert Levels also occurred. Organised participation was also disrupted, with many competitions and tournaments unable to take place.

Results from the Active NZ survey in future years will help distinguish longer term trends from changes due to COVID-19 disruptions.

The New Zealand Participation Survey 2021

Active NZ: Changes in Participation

This report provides an update on the main participation indicators in play, active recreation and sport in 2021 for New Zealanders aged 5-plus, focusing on changes between pre-pandemic participation levels in 2019 and 2021 levels. 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 2021

Active NZ: Updating the Participation Landscape

This report focuses on participation in play, active recreation and sport among young people and adults in 2021. Drawn from the Active NZ survey, it uses data collected during 2021 from 4,824 young people and 23,239 adults. Selected results are explored through the lenses of age, gender, ethnicity, deprivation and disability.

Active NZ Updating the Participation Landscape

Active NZ COVID-19 survey results

Effects of the first year COVID-19 pandemic

On young people's participation in Aotearoa: April 2020-April 2021

This Active NZ COVID-19 survey report focuses on changing participation throughout the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic from April 2020 through to April 2021, when New Zealand was in its first nationwide lockdown at Alert Level 1.

Effects of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic

On adult participation April 2020-April 2021

This Active NZ COVID-19 survey focuses on changing participation throughout the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic from April 2020 through to April 2021, when New Zealand was in its first nationwide lockdown at Alert Level 1.

Active NZ first year COVID-19 survey results

Active NZ COVID-19 2020 survey results

When New Zealand was placed in Alert Level 4 during March and April 2020, we had to survey in a different way and re-contacted around 36,000 previous Active NZ respondents. We wanted to capture the impact of the lockdown period on New Zealanders’ physical activity. Would we see unexpected impacts on different population groups, or would people who typically face barriers to physical activity experience little change?

Active NZ COVID-19 surveys 2020

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

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