Kia ora tātou,   

Welcome back to a new year! I hope everyone had the perfect mix of whānau, relaxation, fun and being active over the summer break. It’s already looking like an exciting 2024 with some great events and initiatives in the calendar – and plenty of projects to deliver as we continue to work together keeping communities healthy, active, and well.  

With lots of summer fun happening around the motu, I’d like to shout out the successful Waka Ama Sprint Nationals held at Lake Karapiro. With over 3,000 paddlers from 75 clubs across Aotearoa, hundreds of volunteers, and over 10,000 supporters – the seven-day event was a fantastic celebration of whanaungatanga all wrapped up with getting active as the common focus point.  

We also have the Halberg Awards on the 14th of February, where our top sportswomen, sportsmen, teams and para-athlete/teams will be honoured, as well as leadership and New Zealand’s favourite sporting moment.  

With under 26 weeks to go until the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games and 31 weeks until the Paralympics Games, athletes and coaches will be working hard as well as many of you that are involved. We wish you all well in the lead up to both Games.  

Closer to home, Sport NZ is one of the sponsors of the Z Manu World Champs. Check out the update below to see how you can join the fun – Push Play and a make a splash in Wellington, Hamilton, Christchurch and Auckland – and keep the Kiwi summer feeling going!  

I hope 2024 starts well for everyone and look forward to reconnecting with you.  

Ngā mihi,  
Raelene 

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LATEST NEWS

Read about the latest news across Aotearoa.

 

Integrity Sport and Recreation Commission taking effect 1 July 2024

One of the major developments for the sport and recreation sector in 2024 is fast approaching, with the establishment of the Integrity Sport and Recreation Commission taking effect on 1 July 2024.

The Commission will have an important role providing education and guidance about integrity, issuing a Code of Integrity for Sport and Recreation (the Integrity Code) and providing independent dispute resolution and investigative services. Drug Free Sport New Zealand will also transition into the Commission, which will become the national anti-doping organisation.

If you would like to know more about the Commission and how you can contribute to the development of the Integrity Code, visit the Integrity Transition Programme website or subscribe to the mailing list.

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EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Read about awesome events and opportunities happening around Aotearoa.

 

Z Manu World Champs 

The Z Manu World Champs kick off in Wellington tomorrow!  

With this exciting new event offering competitors the chance to show off their biggest and best manu, we also want to give communities the chance to give it a go for free!  

As a proud sponsor of the event, we’re really pleased to be bringing free Push Play sessions to the four main centres. These are all about having a go in a fun and relaxed environment. There will be music and heaps of opportunities to push play.  

The Push Play locations and times are as follows: 

Wellington: TOMORROW 26 January, 3.00-8.00pm at Taranaki Street Dive platform 
Hamilton: 2 February, 3.00-8.00pm at Waterworld 
Christchurch: 9 February, 3.00-8.00pm at Jellie Park Recreation and Sports Centre 
Auckland: 26-29 February at 3.00-8.00pm, Karanga Plaza, Viaduct Harbour 
                       4–7 March at 3.00-8.00pm, Karanga Plaza, Viaduct Harbour 

Those inspired to sign up for the official competition can also get 25% off their entry fee using the code PUSHPLAY when registering for the event online. 

Entries are also possible on the day.

 

Physical Activity and Hauora study and scholarships available to the sector 

Te Hau Kori at Victoria University of Wellington – Te Herenga Waka recently launched a study programme aimed at health and physical activity practitioners who want to develop advanced knowledge and skills in promoting physical activity and mātauranga Māori. 

The courses on offer let you specialise in Play, Active Recreation, Sport for Development and Physical Activity & Public Health. 

Eight scholarships are available for students who wish to study a single course or embark on more intensive study: 

• Single Course Scholarship
• Postgraduate Certificate of Physical Activity and Hauora Scholarship
• Postgraduate Diploma of Physical Activity and Hauora Scholarship
• Master of Physical Activity and Hauora Scholarship

Find out more about this unique programme of study, Physical Activity and Hauora developed in consultation with Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa, aligning to the Sport NZ Outcomes Framework and Futures Work. Applications close 10 February 2024. 

We will let you know about similar study opportunities at other tertiary institutions as they become available in the future. 

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COMMUNITY STORIES

Here are some stories from the end of 2023 we didn’t want you to miss. 

 

NZ Cricket paves way for female leaders on and off the field

NZ Cricket’s Female Leadership Development Framework was created to develop stronger female representation across the sport’s workforce — from governance and administration to coaching and umpiring. Read the next story in our series about sector organisations leading change for women and girls. 

 

Harbour Sport leads by example in the women and girls space 

It was a set of brain teasers that got He Toa Taua - Harbour Sport really thinking about gender equity. This informal and interactive approach helped staff to challenge internal biases and made the topics easier to talk about – all part of Harbour Sport’s plan to improve gender equity within their organisation and share these learnings with their community. 

 

Disabled Rotorua swimmer makes a splash

It’s been three years since Ashmit Danney first swam in a pool - now the teen is eyeing a spot in New Zealand’s Paralympic team. Through Parafed Bay of Plenty, Ashmit has had opportunities to try a range of activities and sports in the region, and swimming became a favourite  – now he’s smashing records!

 

Disability spotlight: Benefits of inclusion in and outside of the classroom 

Inclusion creates loads of benefits for individuals and the wider school environment. In this video, Fiona McDonald from Education Outdoors NZ shares why it’s important that disabled young people get opportunities to be active outside the classroom alongside their peers and what this teaches students.