Sport NZ-Oranga Tamariki Action Plan 2026–2028
Sport NZ-Oranga Tamariki Action Plan 2026–2028
Improving access to play, active recreation and sport
Sport NZ and Oranga Tamariki are working together to help more tamariki and rangatahi across the Oranga Tamariki system access and enjoy play, active recreation and sport. Explore the action plan and research guiding this work.
Being active can make a difference for young people involved with the Oranga Tamariki system
Play, active recreation and sport can support physical, mental and social wellbeing. They can help tamariki and rangatahi build confidence, strengthen relationships and feel they belong.
These benefits can be especially important for tamariki and rangatahi involved with the Oranga Tamariki system. However, high costs, transport barriers and limited local opportunities can make it harder for them to be active consistently.
Improving access requires government agencies, communities, caregivers, and the play, active recreation and sport sector to work together and to put the needs and voices of these young people at the heart of this mahi.
The Joint Sport NZ–Oranga Tamariki Action Plan sets out how the 2 agencies will work together from 2026 to 2028 to improve access to quality physical activity opportunities.
The Action Plan focuses on 4 priority areas
1. Strengthening collaboration
Sport NZ and Oranga Tamariki will build stronger national, regional and local connections. This includes supporting closer relationships between Regional Sports Trusts and Oranga Tamariki teams.
2. Building workforce capability
The agencies will look at the skills and support needed across the care, youth justice, and sport and recreation workforces. They will also identify opportunities for shared learning and stronger connections between sectors.
3. Identifying and reducing barriers
The work will build a shared understanding of the factors affecting access to play, active recreation and sport. Sport NZ and Oranga Tamariki will use this evidence to develop targeted initiatives that reduce barriers and strengthen what already helps young people to be active.
4. Supporting positive pathways for young people
The agencies will explore how sport and physical activity can support positive youth development, prevention and stronger pathways for young people in, or at risk of entering, the youth justice system.
The Action Plan builds on the Unlocking Opportunities report
Sport NZ released Unlocking Opportunities in 2025. The report brought together evidence and learning about the role of physical activity in the lives of care-experienced tamariki and rangatahi.
It found that being active can support wellbeing, connection and belonging. It also identified barriers such as gaps between policy and practice, limited provider capability, funding issues, fragmented systems and a lack of young people’s input into decisions.
The Joint Action Plan is the next phase of this work, setting out a coordinated programme of action through to 2028.
