Physical inactivity is one of New Zealand's largest public health challenges. Funders across government, health, and community sectors invest in programmes that get New Zealanders moving — from community sport to active transport, workplace wellness, and targeted programmes for high-need populations. This guide covers the key funding sources.
Sport NZ is the primary funder of physical activity:
- Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa: Community participation fund — sport, recreation, and active play
- Green Prescription (GRx): Physical activity referral for inactive adults
- Active Recreation: Non-competitive physical activity
- Play: Active play for children as physical activity foundation
- Regional Sport Trusts: Delivery vehicles for community physical activity
Health funders invest in physical activity:
- Health promotion: Physical activity as chronic disease prevention
- Healthy Families NZ: Community-led health and wellbeing including physical activity
- PHOs (Primary Health Organisations): Active patient programmes
- Green Prescription: Medical referral to physical activity coordinators
Physical activity is a funded health intervention for diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and mental health.
ACC funds physical activity for:
- Falls prevention: Exercise for older adults to prevent falls
- Rehabilitation: Active recovery from injury
- Sports injury prevention: Safe sport programmes reducing injury rates
- Strength and balance: Community programmes for older adults
ACC's falls prevention investment funds significant physical activity programming.
RSTs deliver community physical activity:
- Aktive Auckland: Auckland active communities
- Sport Wellington: Wellington active recreation
- Sport Canterbury: Canterbury physical activity
- Regional RSTs: Active community programmes across NZ
RST physical activity programmes:
- Walking groups
- Community fitness classes
- Aqua aerobics and swimming
- Cycling and active transport connections
- Older adult activity (Silver Moves, etc.)
Active transport (walking and cycling) as physical activity:
- Waka Kotahi (NZTA): Walking and cycling infrastructure
- Local councils: Active transport infrastructure and programmes
- Communities in Action: Walking school buses and active travel
- Cycling New Zealand: Community cycling development
Gaming trusts fund physical activity programmes:
- Four Winds Foundation: Community physical activity — walking groups, fitness
- Grassroots Trust: Recreational and sport physical activity
- Pub Charity: Equipment for community activity programmes
- Lion Foundation: Community sport and recreation
Employer investment in employee wellness:
- ACC WorkSafe: Workplace injury prevention through physical fitness
- EAP services: Employee wellbeing including physical activity
- Health insurance: Physical activity benefits through health insurance
Senior physical activity is a high-funding priority:
- ACC falls prevention: Strength and balance for seniors
- Sport NZ Green Prescription: Medical referral to physical activity
- Age Concern NZ: Active ageing programmes
- RSTs: Senior walk groups and fitness programmes
Exercise for older adults is a proven intervention — funders respond to evidence of falls prevention and independence.
Targeted physical activity investment:
- Te Puni Kōkiri: Māori physical activity and health
- Ministry for Pacific Peoples: Pacific community wellness
- Healthy Families NZ: Targeted communities including Pacific and Māori
- RSTs: Community sport and recreation for diverse communities
Exercise as mental health intervention:
- Mental Health Foundation: Physical activity and mental wellbeing
- PHOs: Exercise referral for anxiety and depression
- Community foundations: Wellness programmes connecting physical and mental health
Strong applications demonstrate:
- Participant numbers: People by age, gender, ethnicity, and activity type
- Inactive populations: Reaching people who are currently inactive
- Health outcomes: Evidence that the programme improves health indicators
- Social outcomes: Reduced isolation, improved wellbeing
- Accessibility: Low or no cost, transport, culturally appropriate
- Sustainability: Plan for continuing activity after grant period
- Behaviour change: How the programme creates lasting habits
- Community leadership: Locally driven, culturally responsive
Tahua's grants management platform helps physical activity organisations manage grant applications across Sport NZ, Ministry of Health, ACC, RSTs, gaming trusts, and community funders, tracking participation, health, and wellbeing outcomes across community programmes.