Active New Zealand Survey
The Active New Zealand Survey is a national survey that measures participation in sport and recreation, and the physical activity levels of New Zealand adults aged 16 years and over.
The survey provides information on how active we are, and in what sports and physical activities we participate and the duration and intensity of physical activity and involvement in sport and recreation as a volunteer, club member or in organised events/competitions.
About the Active New Zealand Survey
Data for the 2007/08 Active New Zealand Survey was collected from March 2007 to March 2008.
Topline results will be released around November 2008, with further releases in December and early 2009.
Frequently asked questions about the 2007/2008 Active New Zealand Survey
What the Active New Zealand Survey covers
The Active New Zealand Survey includes information on:
- sport and recreation activities taken part in the last 12 months, 4 weeks and 7 days;
- participation in organised events;
- club membership and whether received coaching;
- where taken part in activity – e.g. at a sports facility;
- participation in sport and recreation as a volunteer – type of role, time spent in that role over last 4 weeks;
- activities started/ stopped in the last 12 months; and
- activities taken part in the last 7 days: amount of time, intensity of time (i.e. moderate and vigorous physical activity).
It also covers different 'domains' in which people take part in physical activity - whether it is done as part of a person's job, around their home, or as a means of travelling between places (e.g., walking or cycling to work
or school).
When looking at participation levels, we're measuring:
- what physical activity was done (eg, swimming)
- for how long (eg, 15 minutes)
- how often (eg, 3 times last week), and
- how much effort was exerted (eg, high intensity).
Measuring all these aspects allows us to determine the number of New Zealanders who are active at a level that is beneficial for their health.
Previous Surveys
The Active New Zealand Survey has previously been undertaken three times and was last conducted in 2001. It was formally known as the New Zealand Sport and Physical Activity Survey (NZSPAS).
Three surveys have been run previously called the New Zealand Sport and Physical Activity Surveys – NZSPAS (that covered only leisure-time physical activity. These were undertaken in 1997/98, 1998/99 and 2000/01.
A total of 16,500 New Zealanders have been interviewed - including 12,500 adults (people aged 18 and over) and 4000 young people (5-17 year olds).
Information from the previous surveys can be found under
SPARC Facts 1997-2001.
Updated | 13 Aug 2008.
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