Physical activity for older adults reduces health burden, delays disability, reduces social isolation, and supports mental health. New Zealand has an ageing population with a growing need for accessible senior sport and physical activity. This guide covers the key funding sources for senior sport programmes in New Zealand.
Sport NZ funds physical activity for older adults through:
- Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa: Community sport participation — includes senior programmes
- Green Prescription: Supported physical activity referral programme for older adults
- RSTs: Community senior sport development
RSTs fund senior sport programmes:
- Senior sport clubs (bowls, tennis, croquet, petanque, walking)
- Active ageing programmes
- Walk and exercise groups
- Senior-specific fitness programmes
Key RSTs:
- Aktive Auckland: Auckland's large senior population
- Sport Wellington: Wellington senior sport
- Sport Canterbury: Christchurch active ageing
- Sport Waikato, Sport Bay of Plenty: Regional senior sport
Gaming trusts are a primary funder of senior sport clubs:
- Four Winds Foundation: Senior community organisations
- Grassroots Trust: Community recreation including seniors
- Pub Charity: Equipment and programme grants
- Lion Foundation: Community sport and recreation
Gaming trusts frequently fund:
- Bowls equipment (bowls clubs are among the most common applicants)
- Tennis rackets and balls
- Exercise equipment for senior programmes
- Court and green maintenance
Lottery Community Wellbeing: Senior community wellbeing programmes including physical activity.
Green Prescription (GRx):
- Medical referral scheme — GPs refer patients to physical activity
- Physical activity coordinators support older adults to get active
- Often includes walking groups, swimming, gentle exercise
- RSTs administer GRx — RSTs can advise on funding connection
Age Concern NZ funds:
- Active ageing programmes
- Senior social and recreational activities
- Community exercise groups for older adults
High-participation senior sports:
- Bowls: Most played senior sport — indoor and outdoor; extensive club network
- Tennis: Older adults remain active in tennis and social tennis
- Walking/Nordic walking: Walking groups across NZ
- Swimming: Aquatic exercise for seniors
- Croquet: Active senior sport
- Petanque: Highly accessible for older adults
- Golf: Popular across older age groups
- Social dance: Ballroom and social dancing for seniors
Organised fitness for seniors:
- Silver Moves (YMCA): Senior fitness programmes
- Parkinsons NZ: Exercise for Parkinson's disease
- Community fitness classes: Chair yoga, aqua aerobics, gentle exercise
- Strength training: Resistance exercise for fall prevention
Falls prevention is a funded priority:
- Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC): Falls prevention investment
- DHBs/Te Whatu Ora: Falls prevention for older adults
- Community exercise: Strength and balance for fall prevention
Exercise for falls prevention is a funded health outcome — worth including in senior sport applications.
Strong applications demonstrate:
- Participant numbers: Members by age group (60+, 70+, 80+), gender, and activity type
- Social participation: Regular group activity — addressing social isolation
- Health outcomes: Physical health (reduced falls, improved fitness) and mental health
- Accessibility: Low or no cost, accessible facilities
- Community connection: Senior sport as social infrastructure
- Active ageing: Older adults maintaining independence through activity
- Equipment: Bowls, rackets, exercise gear — specific needs per programme
- Organisation governance: Club structure, financial health
Tahua's grants management platform helps senior sport clubs manage grant applications across Sport NZ, RSTs, gaming trusts, aged care funders, and community funders, tracking participation, social, and health outcomes for older adults.