Advocacy projects

The Ministry of Education has officially released the final Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum for Years 0–10. Thanks to sector-wide advocacy with our good friends EONZ and WaterSafety NZ, several key priorities in Recreation Aotearoa’s submission were taken up.

Recreation Aotearoa has submitted on the proposed first National Conservation Policy Statement (NCPS), which will become a key instrument governing recreation, public access, visitor management and outdoor education across New Zealand’s public conservation land.

Recreation Aotearoa has submitted on the Phase 5 (Years 11–13) Physical Education curriculum, continuing our commitment to Te Whai Oranga – the pursuit of wellbeing. Our response addresses critical gaps to ensure the curriculum is safe, realistic, and inclusive for all rangatahi.

We have submitted our formal response to the Conservation Amendment Bill, a piece of legislation with significant implications for the management of one-third of New Zealand’s land mass. Our position is built on the firm principle that conservation must remain the primary purpose of public lands, with recreation fostered as the principal public benefit.

Recreation Aotearoa acknowledges the Government’s intent to reform the resource management system through the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill. These reforms represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape how New Zealand’s towns and cities grow, adapt to climate change, and support community wellbeing.

Recreation Aotearoa welcomes the intent of the Life Jackets for Children and Young Persons Bill and supports efforts to reduce New Zealand’s high rate of fatal drownings. This legislation presents a significant opportunity to prevent drowning and must be strengthened to maximise its life-saving impact.

​​​​​​​Recreation Aotearoa welcomed the opportunity to submit on the Draft Refresh of the New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026–2030 (NZDS).

Recreation Aotearoa strongly urges the Ministry of Education to reconsider the exclusion of Outdoor Education from the general senior subject list.

Recreation Aotearoa strongly urges the Government to embed the principle that “gambling should benefit the community” in the Bill, ensuring a substantial share of online casino revenues supports community sport, recreation, and wellbeing.

Recreation Aotearoa opposes the removal of wellbeing from the purpose of local government and calls for cemeteries and crematoria to be recognised as essential core services. We urge the Government to protect councils’ ability to deliver recreation, play, and remembrance spaces that keep communities active, healthy, resilient, and connected.