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• Recreation and sport organisations have not been provided with necessary
practical advice, direction, resources and guidance.
• There has not been a sufficiently close relationship between the recreation and
sport sector and government agencies that administer funds for New Zealanders’
wellbeing, health, education, rehabilitation and physical activity.
• The terminology used in, and about, leisure, recreation and sport is inconsistent
and leads to confusion and miscommunication.
• There has been a dumbing down of the competitive elements and the pursuit of
excellence in many levels of sport.
• Decisions on recreation and sport have not been marked by a high level of
research and analysis.
• The small amount of government spending on recreation and sport has been
regarded as a cost rather than as an investment.
• Organised sport has appeared to dominate the sector and recreation has suffered
accordingly.
5.3 National Recreation and Sport Organisations
• The Taskforce was particularly concerned to observe the apparently significant
decline in the number of volunteers in national recreation and sport
organisations.
• Most national recreation and sport organisations struggle to effectively lead and
manage their activities. This is influenced by:
- ineffective governance
- lack of robust strategic planning
- lack of clear vision and purpose
- inadequate financial resources to enable them to manage all aspects of
the development of their respective recreation and sport activity
- inadequate resourcing to employ high calibre senior staff
- lack of recognition and response to trends and societal changes
• The Taskforce found alarming disparities across national recreation and sporting
organisations, particularly in leadership, governance, resource management,
operational structures and strategic planning. These disparities were also
consistently observed at the regional level.
• There is an inequitable gender imbalance in elite coaching and sport administration.
Ministerial Taskforce on Sport, Fitness & Leisure January 2001 page 51 of 153