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    Sports and recreation survey

    This survey closed at 23:59 on Tuesday 14 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.  

    Sports and recreation activities bring great value to our communities, helping us to stay physically active and healthy, and connecting people and communities.   

    We’ve been working 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.   

    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 are 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 will help advise Council about whether there is a need for the shared services secretariat.  

    What happens next? 

    Council is seeking written confirmation from South Wairarapa sports clubs, recreational groups and schools of the need for a sports and recreation shared services secretariat.  

    We ask that clubs, groups/rōpū and schools 

    1. indicate if you support or reject the proposal of a single South Wairarapa sport and recreation shared services secretariat by 11 May by completing this quick form. 
    1. if in support of the proposed shared services, put forward a contact person and/or committee representative of the club or group or school to support communication and governance of the service. 

    Deadline for registering support or rejection of the proposed service is 11 May.  

    Background

    Council is 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 want 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/).  

    Your feedback will be shared with Council and help them to consider how to plan for the future.  

    Sports and recreational activities are in alignment with the Council’s four Community Outcomes, as well as: 

    For more information, please e-mail submissions@swdc.govt.nz