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6.7.3 Shared Focus Areas of Recreation and Sport Development
Active New Zealand will ensure the following key focus areas are strong and
vibrant and are integrated across Recreation Development and Sport
Development.
Education
This focus area of Active New Zealand liaises with education agencies and has
responsibility for developing a cohesive policy for the development of recreation
and sport for New Zealanders from pre-school up to the final year of secondary
schooling. Education is the fundamental driver of recreation and sport. It
touches all New Zealanders and involves a long-term strategy. In effect, the
role of Active New Zealand is that of an advocate and guardian of children’s
interests and opportunities in recreation and sport.
To achieve the strategic focus in education, Active New Zealand will:
• Develop a cohesive policy for New Zealand children and young people to
sequentially and positively experience recreation and sport.
• Advocate the importance of recreation and sport for children and young
people.
• Liaise with all government agencies related to young people, education and
health.
• Ensure Regional Trusts interact effectively with the education sector.
• Ensure national, regional and local organisations strive to increase the
opportunities for, and participation of, young persons in recreation and
sport.
• Develop regional and national recreation and sport youth forums in order to
provide a shared voice for young participants.
• Ensure New Zealand young people are taught how to win in an
environment of healthy competition.
• Ensure school recreation and sport has an emphasis upon positive
engagement, skill development and self-improvement.
• Emphasise that the health and physical education curriculum is as important
for the wellbeing of New Zealanders as literacy and numeracy.
• Ensure that the proliferation of sport academies in schools is examined to
ensure that students’ interests are best served. In doing so, ensure that
programmes enhance students’ sport and academic development and
Ministerial Taskforce on Sport, Fitness & Leisure January 2001 page 80 of 153