Sports and recreation
In December 2024-January 2025 we surveyed the community to understand the needs, challenges and opportunities for South Wairarapa sports clubs and recreational groups, to help Council understand what support can be provided for now and into the future.
Throughout the process we also worked with a Sports and Recreation Advisory Group and created two surveys to learn more about what is needed for our sports and recreation community to operate and thrive.
Sports and recreation activities bring great value to our communities, helping us to stay physically active and healthy, and connecting people and communities.
Update 14 July 2025
South Wairarapa District Council is delighted to invite sports minded groups and individuals to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) that will help to spearhead transformational change for sports and recreation in our communities. By developing a new Sports and Recreation Service for South Wairarapa, the intention is for sports and recreation to drive positive change across the South Wairarapa district, both now and into the future.
The successful applicant’s EOI will propose how they will develop high quality, accessible, district-wide participation in sports and recreation.
Successful applicants will also demonstrate commitment to Te Tiriti of Waitangi through Kaupapa Māori values and genuine partnership with tangata whenua to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
Applications are due 5pm 18 August 2025.
To find out more about the Expression of Interest, dates for questions, and how to apply, see the documents provided below.
Expression of Interest – Sports and recreation provider, South Wairarapa District Council
Expression of Interest – Application form
Expression of Interest – Sports and Recreation Provider – Frequently Asked Questions
Update May 2025
This is an update on the findings from the South Wairarapa District Council’s Sports and Recreation Surveys.
Thank you to all of those who took the time to participate in the South Wairarapa District Council’s Sports and Recreation Surveys that ran between 4 December 2024 and 14 January 2025, and for sharing your insights, experience and expertise.
A strong, vibrant and proud sports and recreation community
We heard from 41 delegates on behalf of their respective sports clubs and recreational groups/rōpū, and 168 individuals/participants.
The number of sports and groups existing in the South Wairarapa illustrates that Sport and recreation have a special place in the hearts of the South Wairarapa community. The community has a long history of building relationships and organising themselves through sports clubs and recreational groups/rōpū to develop expertise, skills, capability and a connected resilient community.
What were the key challenges?
The survey feedback and analysis identified that sports and recreational groups have a number of challenges, including fundraising and applying for funding to meet increasing costs and funding targets, managing and providing access to fit for purpose facilities, attracting and retaining volunteers and being governance ready (meeting legislative requirements).
Participants were overall satisfied with the sports club or group that they belonged to, with most sports involving travel to access facilities and competition around the Wairarapa. A number of participants have to travel outside of the Wairarapa to train or compete in their sports of choice or level of sports.
For participants the three biggest challenges are time, cost and travel.
5 key areas of need as identified by the Sports and Recreation Advisory Group
Based on survey feedback and analysis, the Sports and Recreation Advisory Group identified five key areas of need for South Wairarapa sports and recreation that would benefit from investment. These are:
- Access to Fit for Purpose Facilities
- Single shared services delivery model for sports and recreation
- Building culture and volunteering
- Transport
- Sports and Recreation Strategy
Report and Strategy Committee Meeting outcome
At 12 March 2025 a report on the findings and a set of recommendations was presented to the South Wairarapa District Council’s Strategy Working Committee.
The Committee resolved to:
- Approve the establishment of a South Wairarapa Sports and Recreation Governance Group overseeing a single shared sports and recreation service
- Approve a 2-year funding contribution of $161,200 towards the delivery of a single South Wairarapa Sports and Recreation service, as part of 2025/34 LTP deliberations, to be reviewed for the 2027/37 LTP
- Approve the Chief Executive seeking provisional expressions of interest from interested entities for the delivery of a single South Wairarapa sports and recreation service if the funding is approved.
To read the full report, recommendations, minutes and resolutions, go to https://swdc.govt.nz/meeting/strategy-working-committee-12-march-2025/
Why were sports clubs, recreational groups and schools asked to register their support or non support?
Support or non-support of the above from across the South Wairarapa community of clubs and groups/rōpū helped advise Council about the need for the shared services secretariat.
Background
Council was eager to understand what the needs are for clubs and recreational groups so that it can understand what support can be provided for now and into the future.
We especially wanted to hear about groups’ needs around funding, administration, volunteer and governance work and readiness for meeting the new requirements of the Charities Amendment Act. If you’d like to find out more about changes to the Charities Amendment Act go to: https://www.charities.govt.nz/charities-act-hub/charities-act-change-hub/ and the Incorporated Societies Act, go to: https://is-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz/law-changes-for-societies/key-changes/).
Sports and recreational activities are in alignment with the Council’s four Community Outcomes, as well as:
For more information, please e-mail grants@swdc.govt.nz