Key points
This indicator measures the proportion of young people aged 5–17 years and adults aged 18 years and over engaging in at least 2.5 hours of sport and/or leisure-time physical activity in the preceding seven days, based primarily on results of Sport and Recreation New Zealand’s Sport and Physical Activity Surveys. Participation in sport and active leisure is a source of enjoyment and entertainment. It can contribute to personal growth and development and is a good way to meet new people. It also has positive benefits for physical fitness and mental well-being.
- Waikato young people’s overall levels of physical activity showed little change between 1997 and 2001. Boys tend to be more active, although not significantly so. The overall proportion of Waikato adults who were active also remained fairly constant between 1997 and 2001.
- More recent data for Waikato regional communities was collected through the 2010 Waikato Community Outcomes Survey commissioned by MARCO and Choosing Futures Waikato, where an average 87% of respondents throughout the Region reported having undertaken brisk walking, running, gardening or other physical activities at least once per week.
Reported participation in sport and active leisure – Waikato territorial authority areas 2007 and 2010 (percent exercising at least once per week)
Source: 2007 and 2010 Waikato Community Outcomes Survey (International Research Consultants Ltd/MARCO).
Note: The 2010 survey sample included 70 interviews for most districts (100 for Hamilton) but only 21 for Waitomo and 8 for Rotorua. The 2007 survey used a similar sampling method. Hence, the results for Waitomo and Rotorua should be treated with particular caution.
What agencies are doing
Information currently being collated.
What you can do to help
Information currently being collated.
More information
More detail on this indicator, including how and where this information is collected, is available here.
What we want to achieve
The community outcome we are seeking to achieve by increasing participation in sport and active leisure is:
- We can participate in recreation and leisure activities that meet our diverse needs and we have opportunities to enjoy the Waikato region’s natural places and open spaces in responsible ways.