Active NZ Survey 2024/25
Active NZ Survey 2024/25
How New Zealanders are getting active
Active NZ鈥痠s a nationwide survey that shows how New Zealanders aged 5 and over are getting active 鈥� and how that鈥檚 changing.
The latest results offer fresh insights to help spot trends, tackle challenges and make better decisions across the play, active recreation and sport system. This is the first Active NZ survey aligned with the financial year and findings are from July 2024 to June 2025.
Discover how physical activity is bouncing back post-pandemic, what鈥檚 motivating young people to get active and where gaps remain.
Key findings
- Young people鈥檚 activity is bouncing back鈥�� participation is returning to pre-pandemic levels.
- Adults are staying active, helping support the recovery of youth activity.
- Barriers remain鈥�� time, cost and confidence still prevent many from being active.
Are physical activity levels improving?Yes 鈥� and here鈥檚 how:
|
Meeting physical activity guidelines |
What motivates young people?
Young people are driven by:
 |
Fun 鈥� 78% say it鈥檚 their top reason for being active. |
 |
Connection 鈥� spending time with wh膩nau and friends matters. |
 |
Wellbeing 鈥� improving physical and mental health is a key motivator. |
Other insights:
- Learning new skills is especially valued by Pacific peoples, Chinese, Indian and migrant communities.
- Confidence is critical for rangatahi 鈥� it turns interest into action.
- Tamariki (aged 5-11) are more likely to be active when they feel connected to their environment and wh膩nau.
- Cost and access have become higher barriers to being active, especially for Tamariki.
Who is missing out?
Despite improvements in some areas, some groups of young people are still less likely to meet activity guidelines:
- girls
- ethnic minorities
- disabled people
- rainbow communities
- people living in high deprivation areas
- and people experiencing challenges to their mental health.
These groups face more barriers and need targeted support.
What helps people get active?
The data points to 6 key actions:
- Active schools and PE鈥�� prioritise quality physical education and whole-school activity.
- Connection to spaces and places鈥�� design safe, culturally relevant environments.
- Wh膩nau-centred activation鈥�� make it easy and affordable for families to be active together.
- Confidence-building鈥�� create low-pressure opportunities with positive role models.
- Affordability and access fixes鈥�� remove practical barriers like fees, gear and transport.
- Tech-enabled challenges鈥�� use apps and wearables to turn screen time into active time.
Learn more and take action
Explore the resources to dive deeper and support your planning and programmes.
