InterAktive_December 2024

DECEMBER 2024
INTERAKTIVE

03
27
CONTENTS
09
03 Kia Ora and welcome >
07 Your Voice: Glenn Cox, Chief Executive,
Badminton North Harbour >
09 Participation
09 Iwi of Origin 2024 >
11 Game Plan AKL TM : One year on >
13 Taiohi Collectdive: Putting the spotlight
on Active Recreation >
14 Strengthening Sector Organisations
14 Love their Game: Launching 2025 >
15 Coach Development >
16 Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility >
17 Sport Pathways Framework: Ensuring active
opportunities for all >
19 Support Services: Tailored services to support
your organisation >
21 Shaping a sustainable future: How Auckland’s
sport sector is tackling climate change >
26 Funding and advocacy
26 Advocating for the future of sport in Auckland >
27 Active Environments
27 Facility Priority Plan a game changer >
29 Update: Facilities, resources and more >
21 07
2

KIA ORA
Welcome to the latest issue of InterAktive.
With Jennah Wootten
Chief Executive, Aktive
The second half of 2024
has been particularly
exciting for Aktive with the launch
of our 2024-2028 Strategic Plan >,
along with a supporting video > and a
Futures Report > which helped guide the
development of the Strategic Plan.
You’ll see that we have deliberately
narrowed our focus to four strategic
focus areas, which is where we believe
we can have the greatest impact:
Participation, Strengthening Sector
Organisations, Funding and Advocacy,
and Active Environments. And you’ll see
these focus areas called out in this latest
issue of InterAktive.
Our 2024-2028 Strategic Plan continues
to be underpinned by an equity approach
to ensure our investment and efforts are
centred on people and communities that
are missing out, specifically tamariki and
rangatahi who are under-active or where
historic inequities exist.
3

We’re grateful to the various stakeholders
who shared their perspectives and
expertise as we went through this
strategic planning process. These include
our valued strategic funders who
continue to support Tāmaki Makaurau and
Aktive’s approach, notably Sport New
Zealand, Auckland Council, Foundation
North and NZCT; and our Programme
Partners Water Safety New Zealand and
the Four Winds Foundation. We also
acknowledge our System Build Partners
CLM Community Sport, Harbour Sport,
Sport Auckland and Sport Waitākere.
The collaborative approach to our mahi,
ensures we are achieving more for the
Auckland region and local communities
than we could achieve alone.
With our sharpened strategic focus,
more targeted investment, and current
and potential partnerships, we’re looking
forward to seeing what is possible as we
head into 2025.
Another recent exciting milestone for
Aktive was the inaugural meeting of our
Māori Outcomes Committee comprising
Trina Tamati, Martin Mariassouce, Tom
Irvine, Hone Fowler, and Jada Macfie.
We are incredibly fortunate to have this
group of experienced, knowledgeable,
connected and respected individuals to
help guide us as we look to the future.
The Māori Outcomes Committee inaugural
hui included a discussion on Aktive’s Te
Tiriti o Waitangi Responsiveness Policy
and our future Māori Participation mahi,
much of which is enabled through the
invaluable support we receive from
Sport New Zealand via our He Oranga
Poutama contract.
We’d like to take this opportunity to
acknowledge some very special people
connected to our sector who were
recognised in the 2024 King’s Birthday
Honours: Dame Theresa Gattung DNZM
who was appointed an Officer of the
New Zealand Order of Merit for services
to women, governance and philanthropy
and Andrew Barnes ONZM who was
appointed an Officer of the New Zealand
Order of Merit for services to business
and philanthropy. Both have a phenomenal
impact across many sectors and contribute
to a range of causes and initiatives
personally. We are fortunate to see
their knowledge and generosity firsthand
through their involvement with
4

Game Plan AKL – congratulations to
both Dame Theresa and Andrew on this
prestigious recognition and a sincere
thank you again for your support.
We also recognise another sport and
physical activity sector two supporters,
Manurewa-Papakura Councillor Angela
Dalton who was recently appointed chair
of a new Community Committee with
Auckland Council. Councillor Dalton is
fortunate to have Councillor Julie Fairey
as her Deputy on this Committee which
will have a focus on community related
programmes, including responsibility for
the full regional grants programme.
At its most recent meeting, the
Community Committee was considering
the updated Sport and Recreation
Facilities Investment Fund Framework,
work resulting from Aktive’s successful
Long-term Plan Advocacy which
secured a new $35m of funding for the
sector. We look forward to supporting
Councillors Dalton and Fairey
in their new roles into 2025.
We hope this edition of InterAktive
will enable you to see aspects of our
2024-2028 Strategic Plan coming to
life. This edition includes the latest on
our disability and inclusion mahi, Iwi of
Origin 2024, the Tāmaki Makaurau Sport
and Recreation Facility Priority Plan, and
updates on significant projects such as
climate action >, active recreation > and a
regionwide sideline behaviour campaign >
We are also excited to provide an
update on Game Plan AKL, one year
on from its launch. We were fortunate
to celebrate this milestone with a number
of special guests, including Game Plan
AKL Ambassadors Dame Valerie Adams
and Deputy Mayor of Auckland Desley
Simpson, as well as some of our incredible
foundation donors. Read more about
Game Plan AKL and how you can get
involved here >
5

We are grateful to have Glenn Cox,
Chief Executive, Badminton North
Harbour share the intense story >
of the devastation and reopening of
the Badminton North Harbour Centre
after the 2023 Auckland Anniversary
floods. We acknowledge Glenn’s
leadership and resilience over what
has been an unimaginable two years.
We’re delighted that this facility is now
open again with what sounds like a busy
schedule ahead.
Reflecting on this story and in closing,
it feels appropriate to reference one of
three new values that Aktive has unveiled
within our 2024-2028 Strategic Plan.
That is, United through Kotahitanga: we
wholeheartedly believe that together, we
will go further. This is core to who we
are and how we operate. We hope you
genuinely feel it and see it. Ngā mihi nui
for being on this journey with us, striving
to make Auckland the world’s most
active city.
No doubt the last few weeks of 2024 will
be busy for you all, however I hope there
is time for everyone to reflect on the huge
progress made throughout the year which
enables a strong and exciting platform
for 2025 and beyond. The energy and
efforts of the sport and physical activity
sector across the region are significant and
something to be proud of. The Aktive team
looks forward to seeing what is possible
for people and communities across Tāmaki
Makaurau through sport and physical
activity in 2025.
Meri Kirihimete – and the very best of
wishes for a safe and relaxing break over
the festive season.
6

YOUR VOICE
GLENN COX CHIEF EXECUTIVE, BADMINTON NORTH HARBOUR
From flooded courts to world-class facility:
Badminton North Harbour’s “silver lining.”
When Badminton North Harbour unveiled a
new state-of-the-art facility in October 2024,
Glenn Cox breathed a sigh of relief.
Just 21 months earlier, Glenn – Badminton North
Harbour’s CE – was one of dozens of people at
the Badminton North Harbour Centre for Friday
night training when heavy rain began to fall and
puddles formed.
Realising the danger, Glenn evacuated the
building. While others moved to safety, he
searched for his golden retriever, Maggie. “I went
looking for her but couldn’t find her. I went back
into the office for a final check, grabbed a plug
and got a shock.
“I turned the mains off, and with no power, it just
goes black. It was waist-deep water in the building
at this point. I left through a fire exit, and by the
time I got out, it was shoulder height. I was pretty
much swimming through the car park.”
“We’re used to seeing water pooling at the
bottom of the stairs to the centre’s main entry
when it rains,” says Glenn. But that Auckland
Anniversary Weekend evening, the water rose
quickly.
“The water kept rising up the stairs, with a torrent
coming down the side of the building. We were
grabbing towels to stop the flooding coming in,
but then I saw water was actually coming up
through the floor.”
7

After making it to higher ground, Glenn was
thankfully reunited with Maggie who had been
rescued earlier, but the magnitude of the flooding
was becoming clearer. “It was quite eerie,” he says.
“I remember standing at the tennis courts [next
door] and looking out at what was like a huge lake.”
The next morning revealed extensive damage
to the centre. “Almost two metres of water had
gone through the building,” says Glenn. “The
fridge was upside down in the office, and the floor
snapped. It was total devastation.”
The 2023 VICTOR Oceania Championships,
scheduled to be held at the centre in the following
week, were relocated to Auckland [Badminton
Centre], and the Badminton North Harbour
team set about finding temporary training spaces.
“We were really fortunate: Pinehurst School,
Kristin School, Massey University, AUT, and
Waitakere Badminton helped us,” says Glenn.
“With the North Shore Event Centre also
damaged, space was scarce.”
With temporary venues in place, the long
process to rebuild commenced. Glenn continues,
“Engineers were sent into to assess the damage,
and there was some concern that we wouldn’t be
able to build because it was sitting on a flood plain.
“It became pretty much a total rebuild from the
lower level. 500-odd posts were removed, and new
ones put in, with new bearers, joists and a sprung
floor, which is very unique in New Zealand.”
The renovated venue was also updated to include
state-of-the-art technology, such as live scoring
and streaming capabilities.
“We’ve upgraded all our IT, all our display systems,
our electronic court booking system has been
replaced, and the changing rooms are upgraded,”
Glenn says. “All our wiring is now upstairs, taken
off the ground floor.”
The centre reopened in time for the MAXX
North Harbour International in October 2024,
with 135 players from 21 countries taking part.
“We got the code of compliance on the Thursday
before the tournament, and we kicked off the
following week.”
Glenn says he’s “relieved” to have delivered a
new centre and is looking forward to it hosting
two international events in 2025, including a
full circle moment when the VICTOR Oceania
Championships are held in February 2025.
“We’re back to 100%,” says Glenn. “We’re now
able to offer the community the chance to play
badminton again, rather than having to go through
schools. We have about 150,000 people a year
playing. We’ve got through the other side and can
look to how we can grow going forward.”
Glenn says the rebuild was a true team effort,
with Badminton North Harbour’s insurance
company, consultants and brokers being “first
class,” and Harbour Sport and Aktive also
supporting.
“They were all really instrumental in getting us
through. The silver lining is, we’ve come up with
an extremely modern facility at the other end of
it. It’s state of the art, as far as an indoor sports
facility goes here.”
8

PARTICIPATION
PARTICIPATION
IWI OF ORIGIN
2024
Tāmaki Makaurau’s inter iwi waiora festival,
Iwi of Origin, returned to Bruce Pulman Park
recently, with more than 1500 kaitakaro,
kaiwaowao and kaiwhakahaere and 104 teams
enjoying the day.
The event was opened with a pōwhiri by our
mana whenua kaumaatua from Ngaati Tamaoho:
Ted Ngataki, Waiata Ngataki, Helen Rawiri and
Maaka Potini. In attendance were a number
of the dignitaries from Auckland Council,
including Councillor Andy Baker, Papakura
Local Board Chair Brent Catchpole and
Deputy Chair Jan Robinson; as well as Sport
New Zealand, long standing and invaluable
supporter of the event.
Now in its 17th year, Iwi of Origin promotes
health and wellbeing among urban Māori
through sport and physical activity, in a by Māori,
for Māori, as Māori way. The 2024 festival
included poitarawhiti (netball); whutupōro
takiwhitu (rugby sevens); poitūkohu
(basketball); rīki (rugby league); pā whutupōro
(touch); and kaupapa Māori games – ki o rahi,
urutomo and ancestral games.
9

Leaders in their codes, such as Tāmaki Makaurau
Poitarawhiti, Te Hiku o Te Ika Māori Rugby, Tāmaki
Makaurau Poitūkohu, Counties Manukau Māori
Rugby League and MāoriTouch NZ, Te Papa
Takaro o Te Awara, Ki o Rahi Tāmaki Makaurau
and Mātātoa Time 2 Train. were involved,
supporting the festival’s vision to engage
urban Māori in active lifestyles.
Aktive’s Māori Participation Manager and Iwi
of Origin Event Producer, Mere Rangihuna,
says the festival has a role in supporting improved
health outcomes for rangatahi and tamariki Māori.
“Iwi of Origin aims to be the premier Māori
waiora event, fostering wellbeing and physical
activity in Tāmaki Makaurau in a whānau friendly
way. We want Māori to feel they have a space
to come together and celebrate being Māori,”
says Rangihuna.
Manu Pihama, Aktive’s Māori Partnerships
Manager, says the festival aligns with Aktive’s
vision to make Tāmaki Makaurau the most active
city in the world.
“We know through experience that involving
tamariki and rangatahi influences parents and
grandparents, making Iwi of Origin beneficial to
all whānau,” says Pihama.
An outstanding day enjoyed by all involved.
Roll on Iwi of Origin 2025 – Te Whakaora,
the Revival!
10

PARTICIPATION
GAME PLAN AKL
ONE YEAR ON
We recently celebrated one year of Game Plan
AKL, an essential initiative developed by Aktive
to enable select Year 9 students direct access to
their chosen sport and recreation activity.
Thanks to incredible donor support, our first
cohort of young people have received funding
this year – and will for the next four years
– to enable them to participate in their choice
of sport or recreation activities.
Kindly hosted by MinterEllisonRuddWatts,
we were proud to celebrate this milestone
with MC Sarah Cowley Ross, Game Plan AKL
Ambassador Dame Valerie Adams DNZM OLY,
Game Plan AKL Ambassador and Auckland
Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, Cameron
Leslie MNZM, David Liti and Steve Tew
ONZM – all who shared their reflections on
Paris 2024 and how important initiatives
like Game Plan AKL are.
Game Plan AKL is about removing barriers
and ensuring more young people in Auckland
are experiencing the benefits of sport and
recreation. And after just one year, participating
young people are doing just that.
11

AKTIVE PATTERNS
TANGATA TIRITI & T
Thank you again to all those who are helping
bring Game Plan AKL to life! 2025 will see
our next cohort of 100 young people start
their five-year journey. Yes, that’s right.
Thanks to incredible donor support, we’re
already scaling Game Plan AKL which will
further amplify the impact.
To find out more
gameplanakl.org.nz
gameplanakl@aktive.org.nz
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1.

PARTICIPATION
AKTIVE PATTERNS
TANGATA TIRITI &
TAIOHI COLLECTIVE:
PUTTING THE SPOTLIGHT ON ACTIVE RECREATION
In 2023, the Taiohi Collective was established
in Tāmaki Makaurau. This kaupapa is to provide
opportunities for anyone working with young
people, particularly those from the Active
Recreation sector, to connect, learn and share
with the purpose of increasing their capability
and understanding of youth development.
At our most recent forum we discussed the
Mana Taiohi (youth development) Framework
and how we can utilise the principles to better
support young women and girls to be more
active.
Here to help
If you would like to find out more or be
part of the Tāmaki Makaurau Taiohi
Collective, please contact:
Katie Dobson
Rangatahi Programmes and Engagement Coordinator
021 967 123
katie.dobson@aktive.org.nz
1.
13

STRENGTHENING SECTOR ORGANISATIONS
AKTIVE PATTERNS
LOVE THEIR GAME: TANGATA TIRITI &
LAUNCHING 2025
Many of us are passionate about sport, but
unfortunately this can get the better of some
people at times, often to the detriment of
our young people and their enjoyment and
participation in sport.
coaching and managing, and not those on the
sideline. It reinforces positive sideline behaviour
messages and behaviours that participating sport
organisations can tailor for their sport and roll
out across their respective events.
An increase in poor sideline behaviour,
including recent incidents reported in the
media, has seen a number of Auckland Regional
Sport Organisations join Aktive to develop a
collaborative campaign.
By working together, we can raise awareness and
understanding of how adults can help make sport
a more enjoyable experience for everyone. We’re
putting the finishing touches on this campaign
and look forward to sharing more in early 2025!
‘Love Their Game’ emphasises the importance
of positive sideline support and its role in
creating quality sport experiences for all involved,
particularly young people. It brings together a
diverse range of sport organisations from across
Auckland.
‘Love Their Game’ is a reminder to everyone,
no matter what sport, to respect that the
game belongs to those playing, refereeing,
Here to help
If you’d like to get involved or know more,
please contact:
Jo Redfern-Hardisty
Communications and Marketing Manager
021 241 5678
jo.redfern-hardisty@aktive.org.nz
14
1.

STRENGTHENING SECTOR ORGANISATIONS
COACH
DEVELOPMENT
Coaching coaches may sound like an unusual
concept but it’s a core activity in an effective
coaching system. It’s fundamental for
professional development, the provision
of quality experiences for participants,
and supporting and strengthening sector
organisations.
Aktive’s recent two-day Auckland Regional
Coach Developer Training course again proved
to be incredibly popular. This unique course
provides opportunities for learning and
skill development, networking and growth.
Participants facilitate fun, effective and
inspirational development experiences for
coaches within their own sports environments.
Coaches play an important role in sport and
recreation and have a huge influence on those
they work with. Along with parents, teachers
and caregivers, they are particularly influential
on young people. Given the focus on tamariki
and rangatahi in Aktive’s 2024-2028 Strategic
Plan, you can expect to see increased effort
and activites in this area.
So, what did those participating in our latest
Auckland Regional Coach Developer Training
Course say about their experience?
“It outdid my expectations.” - Kirsty Halliday,
Athletics NZ
“It really helped me gain confidence in my skills,
skills that I didn’t really know I had yet. It also
gave me tools to add in my toolkit.” - Maria
Cenzia, Disability Sport Auckland
AKTIVE PATTERNS
TANGATA TIRITI &
“I had a lot of light bulb moments which was
awesome.” - Jack Heighton, North Harbour
Rugby
Keep an eye on aktive.org.nz > for information
about future coach development courses or
reach out to our team to find out more.
Here to help
For further details, please contact:
Simone Spencer
Sport Development Lead
027 220 0560
simone.spencer@aktive.org.nz
15

STRENGTHENING SECTOR ORGANISATIONS
DIVERSITY, INCLUSION
AND ACCESSIBILITY
Strengthening sector organisations is a key pillar
of our 2024-2028 Strategy. This focus sees us
working with sector organisations to support
their organisational foundations which includes
greater understanding and implementation of
diversity and inclusion strategies and activities
that enable increased participation.
To support this, we are continuing to expand our
Inclusion Training Programme to a wider range of
partners. We recently started training with staff
at Auckland Council leisure facilities to improve
their knowledge and skills and help foster a more
inclusive environment for disabled participants.
This came off the back of work Auckland Council
did with Be.Lab, as well as Be.Lab’s own research
which stated:
“A 2021 survey of people with access needs
revealed welcoming customer service was the
number one enabling factor of accessibility.
Supporting this, research conducted with disabled
young people has consistently highlighted that
the biggest barrier disabled young people face to
participation is ‘other people’s attitudes.’
“When those of us working in the sport, active
recreation, and play sector are open and willing to
AKTIVE PATTERNS
think creatively about how we can include people
with impairments, the disabled community are
more likely to feel welcomed, thus encouraging
their participation.”
TANGATA TIRITI &
Accessibility is also fundamental to greater
diversity and inclusion. It includes making content
understandable for everyone through aspects such
as providing video captions, ensuring optimal colour
contrast, and using clear and concise language.
It’s about creating a better user experience that
benefits everyone.
Aktive is proud to have collaborated with Sport
New Zealand, Sport Canterbury and consulted with
Access Advisors to develop a suite of resources
to support the sport and recreation sector with
providing accessible information and events.
Check out these resources here >
Here to help
For further details, please contact:
Jenna King
Diversity and Inclusion Lead
027 201 8279
jenna.king@aktive.org.nz
16

STRENGTHENING SECTOR ORGANISATIONS
SPORT PATHWAYS FRAMEWORK:
ENSURING ACTIVE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL
Whether for fun, fitness, or competition,
it’s important that all New Zealanders have
opportunities to stay active and involved in
sport at every stage of life.
To help support this vision, Sport New Zealand
and High Performance Sport NZ have developed
the Sport Pathways Framework, providing a
clear strategy that aligns people, programmes,
and environments.
The Sport Pathways Framework is built around
four ‘domains.’ These domains are about ensuring
everyone can enjoy sport in safe, supportive
and inspiring environments that match their
motivations or aspirations:
1) Foundation: Focuses on early sport experiences
that emphasise enjoyment, skill development, and
learning.
2) Social: Encourages flexible, informal sport
formats that promote fun and social interaction.
3) Competitive: Offers more structured,
competitive formats and programmes, run at
local, regional and national levels, focusing on
participants and athletes who have the drive,
aspiration, and motivation to improve and reach
their potential.
17
4) Performance: Supports national and
international competitions and programmes,
helping identified athletes with the attributes,
ambition and attitude to excel on the world stage.

AKTIVE PATTERNS
TANGATA TIRITI &
The Framework also identifies three key
factors that ensure a quality experience within
each domain: good people who enrich the
lives of participants through quality relationships
and engagement; good programmes which
are aligned to participants’ motivations; and
good environments where participants and
athletes thrive while training, playing and
competing.
This approach means that every participant,
regardless of their level or motivation, can
enjoy a quality sporting experience, leading
to a healthier, more active Aotearoa where
sport is accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
The Sport Pathways Framework was created
with valuable input from various partners in
the sports sector, making sure it meets the
needs of different communities and encourages
collaboration between key sports organisations.
Here to help
Find out more about the
Sport Pathways Framework
and supporting resources here >
18

STRENGTHENING SECTOR ORGANISATIONS
SUPPORT SERVICES
GUIDE
SUPPORT SERVICES:
TAILORED SERVICES TO
SUPPORT YOUR ORGANISATION
Sport and recreation organisations in Auckland
face a range of challenges, including financial and
human resource constraints. Aktive prides itself
on being an organisation that’s here to help.
Our 2024-2028 Strategic Plan has reinforced
our commitment to support sector organisations.
In fact, we have a strategic priority entirely
dedicated to this. In keeping with that, we offer a
range of support services to our partners.
We recently finalised the Aktive Support Services
Guide, which highlights some of the ways we can
help your organisation.
One area Aktive can assist with is customised
accounting services and back-office support.
Our experienced accounting team can provide
support for your organisation’s accounting
and administration needs, so you can focus on
achieving your primary goals.
19

AKTIVE PATTERNS
TANGATA TIRITI &
The team offers more than just number
crunching, with a proven track record across a
wide range of financial and planning disciplines,
and a commitment to excellence. We aim to work
as strategic partners to assist you with a wide
range of tasks.
We can provide full accounting services,
budgeting and forecasting, cloud-based
accounting solutions, payroll systems and project
management, automated reporting, professional
development, and help with invoice approval
workflow processes.
Our team has vast experience in the commercial,
not-for-profit, and sport sectors. We can
help manage your back-office tasks and free
up your teams and resources to focus on your
organisation’s core goals.
With flexible service delivery options, we adapt
to suit your preferences and requirements
seamlessly.
Here to help
If you’re interested in learning more
about how Aktive can support your
organisation with accounting services, or
any of the services outlined in the Aktive
Support Services Guide, please get in
touch via enquiries@aktive.org.nz >
We’d love to help.
20

STRENGTHENING SECTOR ORGANISATIONS
SHAPING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE:
HOW AUCKLAND’S SPORT SECTOR
IS TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE
Leading on climate action isn’t just about
meeting obligations – it’s about protecting the
future. As climate challenges grow, organisations
are stepping up to reduce their impact and help
their communities stay resilient.
One of Aktive’s key focus areas for 2024–2028
is strengthening sector organisations, including
helping them progress their climate action
journey’s.
In October, Aktive hosted
a group of sector Board
Members at the Chapter
Zero & Institute of Directors
Climate Governance
Forum.
New Zealand
Board
Published March 2023
The one-day conference brought leaders
together to discuss how governance can
address climate issues. Attendees heard
from experts on topics like transition plans,
climate reporting, regulations, and stakeholder
expectations.
Participants were encouraged to rethink
their assumptions, find opportunities for
innovation, and consider how
their leadership impacts the
future. They also received
the Chapter Zero New
Zealand Board Toolkit >
– a practical guide to tackling
Hosted by
climate challenges at the
board level.
21

Feedback has been positive, with our attendees
gaining a clearer understanding of our sector’s
role in addressing and adapting to climate
challenges. Here is a selection of feedback from
attendees:
“The Forum provided exceptional value with its
high-calibre speakers, comprehensive content, and
valuable networking opportunities. The insights
gained are directly applicable to my governance
responsibilities and will significantly enhance
climate-related decision-making across my board
roles. I greatly appreciate Aktive’s support in
making this valuable professional development
opportunity possible. As the governance landscape
continues to evolve, especially concerning
climate responsibilities, I look forward to further
opportunities to develop and contribute to the
sector’s governance capabilities with Aktive’s
ongoing guidance and support.”
“My confidence in addressing climate-related
governance issues has notably increased. The
Forum provided valuable tools and comprehensive
frameworks designed to assist organizations in
navigating climate-related challenges and seizing
opportunities effectively. While there’s always
more to learn in this rapidly evolving space, I feel
well-equipped to drive meaningful climate action at
the board level”
“An excellent day which got me thinking more
about sustainability and climate.”
“It was really useful to have a forum to discuss
issues with peers in other associations and make
connections. I think this is the sort of forum over
a whole day where you can talk to all the people
and get some learnings. I have followed up with a
number of delegates after the meeting in terms of
linked in and will look at ways we can collaborate.”
“Great to connect with other governance people
working in sport to share learnings and potentially
activate on sustainability matters in a connected
way for the sector. I think that is the untapped
potential which Aktive can perhaps take the lead
on – get us back together and work on some ways
to advance sustainability in sports.”
“Overall I feel far more informed on the subject,
and I wasn’t a novice beforehand. I’m left
wondering how we as volunteer sporting directors
can impact climate.”
22
“It would be good to explore this topic in the
context of sports governance. Possibly how we
work collectively to identify a strategy as most of
our boards would not have the resources (people
and $) to actively pursue the topic.”

Huge thanks to the sector leaders and Board Members below
for joining Aktive at this professional development opportunity.
We look forward to many more opportunities ahead.
Blair Johnson Harbour Basketball Chair
Gina Mills Northern Region Football Chair
Jacob Cameron Auckland Golf CEO
Michele Teague Netball Northern Deputy Chair
Michelle Tsui Auckland Cricket Director
Penny Hulse Aktive Trustee
Sacha Cowlrick Auckland Cricket Deputy Chair
William Batten Auckland Basketball Services Director
Louise Rich AUTM People, Culture and Sustainability Manager
Harbour Hockey kaumatua and
Head of Hockey James Coughlan
Good mahi underway
It’s heartening to know there is plenty of good
climate adaptation work already underway in
our sector, with hockey and golf just two of the
sporting codes that are stepping up efforts in
Tāmaki Makaurau. Both were recently showcased
at the NZ Sport and Recreation Awards, a huge
credit to all involved.
North Harbour Hockey’s Te Hōnonga a
Iwi project – the winner of the inaugural
Environmental Sustainability Award at the
NZ Sport and Recreation Awards 2024 – is
transforming 10,000 square metres of Rosedale
Park.
Once weed-filled and littered, the area
now features 8,000 native trees, cover
crops, pest control, and bee support, making
it New Zealand’s first large-scale
environmental restoration led by a sports
organisation.
The project has built more than 40 partnerships
with community groups, researchers, and
volunteers, while also generating revenue
through chemical-free composting. North
Harbour Hockey is making real progress
toward its carbon-reduction goals and
showing what sustainability in sport can
achieve.
23

AKTIVE PATTERNS
TANGATA TIRITI & TAUIWI
Some 30 Auckland and North Harbour golf
clubs are also participating in Golf is Green,
a partnership between Auckland Golf and
Auckland Council that aims to improve the
environmental outcomes across 2,000 hectares
of green space across the region.
This partnership – which is supported by a
number of other organisations and was a
finalist in the Environmental Sustainability
Award category – aims to help clubs sustainably
manage their operations, including reducing
pests, boosting native plant and animal life, and
improving water management.
Read more
about the
partnership
between
Auckland Golf
and Auckland
Council here >
Golf is Green
Golf’s commitment to improving
Auckland’s green environment.
Your golf club is part of a socia ly conscious
community programme improving the quality of
Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau’s environment.
From native tree and riparian planting alongside
native wildlife enhancement initiatives, through to
pest eradication and water management plans, the
Golf is Green initiative is a partnership between
Auckland Golf and Auckland Council.
Some 30 Auckland and North Harbour golf clubs
are participating in Golf is Green, with more coming
onboard shortly.
Thousands of golfers in Auckland are now seeing
the positive differences Golf is Green has made to
their club’s environment along the fairways, bush,
treelines, and waterways.
For more information on how Golf is Green has
improved the environmenta landscape for
Auckland’s golf courses, visit golfisgreen.co.nz
$4
value return for
every $1 invested
85%
clubs upgraded their
water systems
70%
of golf clubs
benefitted from
conservation work
75%
of clubs have a
pest trapping plan
24

AKTIVE PATTERNS
It also connects clubs with experts, resources,
and funding, and encourages the wider golf
community to get involved in sustainability
initiatives.
TANGATA TIRITI &
Aktive’s commitment to this mahi is ongoing,
too. We’ll shortly present our carbon footprint
assessment and a draft climate action policy to
our Board, alongside a toolkit for the sector to be
released in early 2025.
Together, we can reshape systems and continue
to build a sport and recreation sector ready to
thrive in a changing world.
Here to help
To stay connected and learn more,
please contact:
Daniel Mitchell
General Manager Active Communities
021 864 848
daniel.mitchell@aktive.org.nz
25

FUNDING AND ADVOCACY
ADVOCATING FOR THE FUTURE
OF SPORT IN AUCKLAND
As Aktive heads into our 2024-2028 strategic
period, one of our key focus areas is funding
and advocacy. Our vision is for Auckland to be
the world’s most active city and we need to
share a compelling narrative about why this is
vitally important for our communities now and
into the future.
This involves rallying leaders and organisations
and working together to further build the
value proposition of sport and physical activity
and compel funders to invest into the sector
because of the significant social return on
investment it can make, changing lives.
Looking to 2025, our key advocacy
campaigns include an ‘always on’ focus
on facilities, raising the awareness of play
to drive positive outcomes for tamariki and
rangatahi, increasing the value and visibility of
active recreation, and sideline behaviour.
We look forward to keeping you updated
on these campaigns and sharing and
showcasing the value of sport and physical
activity, particularly with our civic leaders and
broader funders for the benefit of Auckland
and Aucklanders.
We know demand outweighs supply when
it comes to funding and that’s why our advocacy
includes a region wide lens, emphasising where
the greatest need is.
26

ACTIVE ENVIRONMENTS
FACILITY PRIORITY PLAN
A GAME CHANGER
Aucklanders need and want safe, accessible
spaces to enjoy sport and physical activity.
Strategic planning and smart investment are key
to ensuring these spaces are developed where
they’re needed most.
Over the past decade though, delivering sport
and recreation facilities has become harder and
slower. Shrinking funding, rising construction
costs, increasingly complex projects, and
challenges around capacity and capability to
manage the process and source funding are
having an impact.
Something had to change – and the Tāmaki
Makaurau Sport and Recreation Facility
Priority Plan >, which was launched in July
2024, aims to support that change.
Aktive developed this Plan with support from
Sport New Zealand, Auckland Council, and the
sport and recreation sector. Version 1 of the Plan
focuses on 42 projects with a total capital cost of
over $300 million – 22 are at an advanced stage,
and 20 are in planning. It is a snapshot in time
from when the Plan was developed.
The Plan outlines priorities across current sport
and recreation facility projects to guide sector
funders in their decisions, with the aim of
securing funding and ultimately enabling delivery
of these priority projects.
27

Colin Dale Park – KartSport Track: $7.5m
project to build a dedicated regional KartSport
track, $2.5m funded by Auckland Council’s Sport
and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund; work
underway.
So far, five priority projects have received
enough funding to commence:
AUT Millennium – Athletics Track Renewal:
$1.65m project funded by AUT Millennium
Trust, Auckland Council’s Sport and Recreation
Facilities Investment Fund, and a Lottery
Community grant; work began in July and
concluded in November. Used by 50,000 people
annually, including over 4,000 students from 70
schools.
Colin Maiden Park – Hockey Turf Development:
$9.5m project funded by Auckland Council’s
Sport and Recreation Facility Investment Fund;
fully funded stage one earthworks starting soon,
pending resource consent.
Hobsonville Point – Marine & Multisport
Centre: $14m project funded by Auckland
Council’s Sport and Recreation Facilities
Investment Fund, Four Winds Foundation,
Foundation North, a Lottery Community grant
and significant investment from Kainga Ora;
construction starting soon.
Tamaki River – Highbrook Water Sports
Centre: $10.7m rowing and waka ama facility;
stage one complete, stage two (at building
consent stage) set to start in early 2025. Stage
two, which has a cost of $4.7m was, funded
by local board, Lottery Community grants,
and Auckland Council’s Sport and Recreation
Facilities Investment Fund.
AKTIVE PATTERNS
TANGATA TIRITI &
Simon Tattersfield, Aktive’s Active Environments
Manager, says: “’Active environments’ is one
of four strategic priorities in Aktive’s 2024-2028
Strategic Plan. Our Board prioritised it because
we have a major challenge in delivering the
sport and recreation facilities Auckland needs,
which is key to Aucklanders’ participation.
“The Tāmaki Makaurau Sport and Recreation
Facility Priority Plan is a ‘live’ document,
updated annually as projects are completed,
new ones are prioritised, and others begin.
Aktive will continue supporting and advising
project leads to get projects delivered – we’re
here to help.”
Version 2 of the Tāmaki Makaurau Sport and
Recreation Facility Priority Plan is expected to
be delivered in April 2025.
Here to help
For further details, please contact:
Simon Tattersfield
Active Environments Manager
027 229 8850
simon.tattersfield@aktive.org.nz
1.
28

ACTIVE ENVIRONMENTS
UPDATE: FACILITIES, RESOURCES
AND MORE
Safe, easy-to-access, fit-for-purpose
environments make it easier for Aucklanders to
be active. Here is some of the latest sector news
and a few success stories focused on Auckland’s
spaces and places:
Access to Schools Toolkit
There is a known shortfall of indoor court and
aquatic facilities across Tāmaki Makaurau, with
the region currently 73 indoor courts short in
meeting current needs.
The sector and Auckland Council are working to
develop and deliver indoor court
facilities and are mindful this will
take time and is very expensive.
To build some interim network
capacity for our fast-growing
indoor codes, we are trying to
improve access to school facilities.
Many schools already open their
facilities to their communities – an
approach that is proving popular
and has the potential for expansion
into other schools.
Increasing Community
Access to Schools Toolkit
1
29
To support this, Aktive is currently developing a
toolkit with Sport New Zealand, Nuku Ora and
College Sport Wellington to provide resources
and simple guidance to help public schools to
open their sport and recreation facilities for
wider community use. This resource illustrates
the benefits that can be achieved for all parties,
while supporting schools and school boards of
trustees to navigate any risks when opening
school facilities for community use.
The toolkit includes templates, policies and
guidelines for schools to use when opening
their facilities for community
use. It also provides advice around
appropriate risk management
and health and safety procedures,
as well as case studies about
the benefits of opening school
facilities for community use.
This resource is currently being
finalised with the Ministry of
Education and sector experts and
will be available via aktive.org.nz >
in early 2025.

Tennis Auckland: hub to club
For decades Tennis Auckland has been proud
to have stewardship of the six public tennis
courts at Nicholson Park in Mount Eden. A
key asset for the local community, Nicolson
Park has been used regularly by casual players,
local competitions, a range of local schools and
community organisations. Located close to Mt.
Eden Tennis Club, this venue provided next to
no revenue, club experience or benefits.
Following a comprehensive audit of the facility
in January 2021, Tennis Auckland knew
significant capital expenditure was needed
within the next few years to ensure the facility
remained safe for public access. Essentially this
meant reinventing the model or relinquishing
the lease.
Tennis Auckland consulted with all three local
clubs, showing and discussing different models.
Ultimately the clubs wanted Tennis Auckland to
retain management but mitigate what they saw as a
premium competing offer costing the user nothing.
To help address this point, an eye-catching poster
is now displayed outside the Book a Court gate
with information and contact details for the
three local clubs and a QR code. Additionally,
Tennis Auckland emailed facility users to explain
the on-court and social benefits of joining a
club. Communication across stakeholders and to
the community has resulted in clubs reporting
both increased enquiries and new members –
an approach that Aktive is working with Tennis
Auckland to replicate elsewhere to encourage
greater participation and facility use.
30

So, why does all the above matter?
After observing over time, I have realised
skateboarding is much, much bigger than just kids
rolling around doing tricks. There are fundamental
life lessons being instilled.
Getting a roll on with skateboarding
A recent visit to SonSk8 Indoor Skatepark in
Glen Innes resulted in some positive feedback
on what’s being done in the skateboarding
community in terms of facilities and offerings for
people with special / additional needs.
Skateboarding can be weather dependent and
there are a number of outdoor facilities. This
particular facility is indoors, providing a safe, fitfor-purpose
space and widening the offering for
tamariki and rangatahi. Here are some snippets
from one Mum whose neurodiverse home
schooled daughter enjoys skateboarding and
recently started attending this skatepark which
offers a dedicated programme for home schooled
children:
As of Term 2, 2024, we have been attending the
homeschool sessions at SonSk8. Given this is an
inside venue, it is a guaranteed session and the
progress the kids are making is phenomenal given
the consistency with classes and coaches.
Some families make a massive commitment to
come, and to emphasise how much value we see in
what (facility manager) Aaron (and team) provides
for our kids, we travel from Long Bay, another
family travels from Kumeu, and two other families
from Cambridge and Hamilton!
Smiles and fun: Whatever level they
participate at, whether they try something new,
something different, something hard, or something
scary, they feel a sense of accomplishment and
there is a hint of self-confidence in their smile.
Continual progress of this type of self-development
is what is needed for the long term to develop
our rangitahi into amazing adults.
Team and community: Even though
skateboarding is an individual activity, it is very
much a team game. Regardless of age, skill level,
gender, physicality, everyone has the ability
to participate at some level, and therefore fostering
an inclusive environment. They all
have different needs and goals, yet the inspiration
and encouragement they get from each other
is awesome.
Trust and communication: Watching the
coaches work with the kids, there is nothing but
respect and appreciation. Their patience, kindness,
constructive feedback, and dedication is incredible.
They allow our kids to be self-expressed, yet help
them push past limiting beliefs, to take risks and
cause breakthroughs. The kids have so much trust
in each of the coaches, which is evident in the
progress being made.
I’m so much more aware now of what
skateboarding provides and I’m so grateful to Aaron
and his team @SonSk8 and Amber and her team
@NZGirlSkate for their vision and dedication.
31

aktive.org.nz
@AktiveAuckland
Aktive-Auckland
Aktive_akl
Strategic Funders
Programme Partners
32