For community-based programmes and projects helping tamariki and rangatahi get active.

The fund is designed to help subsidise rural travel for junior teams aged between 5-19 years. It helps school and club sports teams participate in local sporting competitions. 

Active As is an initiative between Sport NZ and 8 regional agencies, dedicated to empowering rangatahi through active recreation and sport. By partnering with secondary schools and wharekura, Active As develops wellbeing, learning and participation, ensuring young people have access to quality, inclusive opportunities to be active. 

This investment champions youth development through active recreation, boosting participation and wellbeing for rangatahi. With diverse options like skating, swimming and yoga, it ensures accessible, non-competitive physical activity for all, regardless of age, income or ability. It’s all about movement for enjoyment, connection and wellbeing across Aotearoa. 

Sport NZ’s 2025-2028 disability investment ensures long-term support for disability sport and recreation organisations. Prioritising stability, capability and enhanced activity opportunities for disabled tamariki and rangatahi, 22 applicants were selected after sector consultation and assessment. In February 2025, Sport NZ’s Board approved annual funding to encourage sustainable sector growth. 

He Oranga Poutama promotes Māori wellbeing through play, active recreation and sport, fostering participation and leadership. Centred in Māori ways of being and knowing, it strengthens community leadership and ensures engagement in sport as Māori, reflecting cultural identity and values while empowering tamariki and rangatahi to connect through meaningful, inclusive activities. 

Healthy Active Learning is a joint government initiative between Sport NZ, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and Health NZ – Te Whatu Ora. It supports schools, kura and early learning services to improve the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi through healthy eating and drinking, and quality physical activity and curriculum delivery.

Mātaiao is an initiative that supports kura and kaiako to enhance the wellbeing of ākonga through the pursuit of Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge). Funded by Sport NZ, it aims to enhance the physical activity experiences of tamariki and rangatahi through strengthening their connection with te taiao (the environment) and their culture.

Sport NZ funds Regional Sports Directors based in Regional Sports Trusts to enhance secondary school sport. The focus is on increasing participation, improving satisfaction and building stakeholder confidence. 10 Regional Sports Trusts and 6 College Sports Organisations are developing tailored initiatives to ensure sustainable growth and strengthen school sports programmes. Current funding is from 2025 to 2028. 

Sport NZ's Strengthen and Adapt programme, funded by the Sport NZ Recovery Package 2020-24, supports national partners in strengthening their capacity, resilience and delivery networks to better serve participants and athletes. The programme supports 59 projects from 34 partners that focus on 6 themes: delivery models, technology, products, diversity and inclusion, people and bicultural approaches.

We support the development of well-designed spaces and places for play, active recreation and sport. By supporting the development of national facilities and regional strategies, we help organisations make smart, strategic investments in fit-for-purpose spaces and places. This ensures communities can access quality spaces that promote physical activity at all levels. 

The levels of investment we have made in our partnerships.