What We Do
Te Pae Rangi – Our Vision
Re-create a nation
Our aspiration is an Aotearoa where recreation has created a mutually flourishing connection between atua, taiao, whenua, and tangata. Where tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti approaches are woven together for the betterment of all. Where recreation reconnects, restores, and regenerates the wellbeing of people, place, and the natural environment. Where all New Zealanders can re-create in ways that work for them – supported and enabled by a connected, knowledgeable, and flourishing recreation industry.
Te Pae Tawhiti – Our Long-Term Outcomes
Te whai oranga o te taiao – Enhancing the wellbeing of the natural environment through recreation.
The natural environment is cared for and regenerated by the recreation industry.
Te whai oranga o Te Tiriti o Waitangi – Realising the promise of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Matauranga Maori is embedded in the recreation industry; the potential of the Maori recreation sector is unlocked.
Te whai oranga o te whenua - Enhancing the wellbeing of place through recreation.
The places where recreation occurs are enhanced through the recreation industry.
Te whai oranga o ngā tāngata - Enhancing the wellbeing of people and communities through recreation.
More New Zealanders enjoy and benefit from a wider range of inclusive, culturally relevant recreation opportunities.
Strategic plan 2025 – 2030
Our mahi is guided by Te Whai Oranga, our strategic plan 2025 – 2030.
Download Te Whai Oranga 2025 – 2030
Statement of Strategic Direction
Our Statement of Strategic Direction provides a summary of the outcomes. priorities and measures that sit within Te Whai Oranga 2025–2030. It articulates our aspirations for the years ahead and provide a clear framework for how we will track our progress and measure success.
Download our Statement of Strategic Direction 2025 – 2030
What we do
We enhance wellbeing through recreation by:
- building capability and networks within the recreation workforce
- raising awareness of best practice, and
- advocating for the benefits of recreation, recreation investment and a highly skilled recreation workforce that meets the needs and expectations of participants.
Our sectors
The recreation industry encompasses the people, places, and processes that create recreation experiences in:
- aquatics and facility-based recreation
- community recreation
- parks, playgrounds and open spaces
- the outdoors.
Mahi Ngātahi
In 2024, we’re undertaking a review of our constitution and governance. We’ve set this up as a project we’ve called Mahi Ngātahi, Working Together.
Who we represent
Our members are passionate recreation professionals. They’re:
- local government staff
- recreation policy makers
- voluntary organisations
- regional sports trust
- government agency staff
- commercial leisure providers
- recreation planners
- facility managers and staff
- programme and event managers
- community arts leaders
- outdoor recreation businesses
- another others involved in the delivery of recreation in Aotearoa!
Read the Recreation Aotearoa Constitution
Our people
Our team come from a range of places and spaces. But we all share a passion for recreation and share the vision to ReCreate a Nation. Our office is based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara but our team is dotted around the mōtū.
Our Governance
We are a charitable body governed by a national board of seven people. Our local networks and service delivery is governed by six regional committees. Separate advisory groups and committees have been established to support the development and delivery of our programmes.