News

Last night Recreation Aotearoa celebrated the New Zealand parks, play, and open spaces industry at the annual NZ Parks Awards in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Four awards were presented at the Parks Awards ceremony, including Active Park of the Year, Healthy Park of the Year, Playground of the Year, and Parks Person of the Year.

We are thrilled to share that Katie Owen, our Disability and Inclusion Programme Manager, has been selected to take part in the Global Sports Mentoring Programme ‘Sport for Community’ run by the U.S Department of State. The programme is focused on advancing disability rights and is a five-week immersive mentorship experience in the U.S.

We love our lifeguards and want to celebrate all that is great about them so we’re running a social media campaign titled, ‘Not “Just” a Lifeguard.’ This campaign aims to highlight the different roles Lifeguards undertake, the skills they develop, and the qualifications they can learn in the role.

The Outdoor Awards are how we celebrate individuals and organisations that have been successful in significantly improving outdoor recreation outcomes for participants and clients. We’d like to offer a big congratulations to our 2022 Outdoor Award winners!

The Green Flag Award® recognises and rewards parks and green spaces providing high-quality and innovative recreational experiences for our communities. The award sets a benchmark standard for recreational outdoor spaces worldwide. Parks are awarded based on a criterion marked by experienced Green Flag Award® judges throughout the country.

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Recreation Aotearoa’s new Chief Executive, Sarah Murray!

On Thursday 24 November in Whakatū/Nelson, Recreation Aotearoa celebrated some of the best and brightest in the New Zealand recreation industry with the 2022 Recreation Awards.

Rick Curtin from Te Whānau O Waipareira and Sarah Clarke from Auckland Council share some insight on a recent pilot collaboration, working with rangatahi on their swimming and water skills and exposing them to the potential in Aquatics. The Wai Pitomata programme run by Rick Curtin from Te Whānau O Waipareira saw an opportunity to partner with West Wave Pool & Leisure Centre to increase ...

The Recreation Awards recognise excellence, innovation, and effectiveness of outstanding activity within the recreation sector as well as the achievement and service of individuals whose commitment and contribution promotes the ongoing development and enhancement of the industry.

Recreation Aotearoa member, Diana Saxton, has been working in Solomon Islands on a six-month, Volunteer Services Abroad assignment with the National Sports Council (NSC). Diana is there in the capacity of Community Recreation Advisor to the staff, Board, and community organisations.