Rangatahi and Physical Activity in the Bay of Plenty: Turning Insights into Action

The latest Voice of Rangatahi (VoR) survey provides an in-depth look into the physical activity habits, motivations, and barriers faced by young people in the Bay of Plenty. With responses from 2,956 students across 11 schools, the findings offer a crucial opportunity for the sport and recreation sector to evolve its offerings in ways that resonate more deeply with rangatahi. By understanding their needs and challenges, we can create a more engaging, inclusive, and sustainable approach to movement and sport—one that aligns with the Balance is Better philosophy of putting young people’s needs at the centre of their sporting experiences.

Empowering the Sector Through Insights

The insights from the VoR survey are more than just statistics—they represent real opportunities for change. While nearly half (49%) of rangatahi engage in physical activity at least five days per week, there remains a significant gender disparity, with 58% of males reaching this level compared to just 44% of females. This suggests that while participation is strong in some areas, there are still considerable opportunities for improvement.

Click here to view a snapshot of our VOR data

By adopting a "quality experiences before performance" approach—an idea central to both Sport Bay of Plenty’s upcoming Future Fit Conference and Balance is Better—we can reshape the narrative around youth physical activity. The insights present an opportunity to identify activities that resonate with rangatahi and make movement enjoyable, accessible, and a natural part of daily life. A holistic approach also ensures more young people stay engaged for longer, reducing drop-off rates and increasing lifelong participation in sport and recreation.

What Rangatahi Want

Rangatahi have expressed a clear demand for greater opportunities to be active:

• 60% want more opportunities at school, suggesting an opportunity for schools to integrate physical activity into daily routines beyond structured PE classes.
• 75% want more opportunities outside of school, highlighting the importance of community-based initiatives that cater to different interests and skill levels.

Higher activity levels correlate with greater happiness—44% of the most active rangatahi rate their happiness between 8 and 10, compared to just 22% of those who are less active. This reinforces the Balance is Better principle of ensuring sport is an enjoyable and positive experience that supports overall well-being.

These insights make it clear—young people want to be active, but the right environments and support systems need to be in place to facilitate this. The challenge now is to create those opportunities in ways that cater to diverse needs and preferences, reinforcing the philosophy that there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to youth sport.

Breaking Down Barriers

Despite their enthusiasm, many rangatahi face obstacles that prevent them from participating as much as they would like. The most common challenges include:

• Being too busy (45%), which suggests that integrating shorter, more flexible activity options into daily routines could be beneficial.
• Feeling too tired/lacking energy (35%), which may indicate a need for schools and communities to address broader well-being factors such as sleep, nutrition, and stress management.
• Lack of motivation (24%), reinforcing the importance of making physical activity engaging and socially connected.
• Lack of confidence (21%), which suggests that a more inclusive, supportive approach is needed to ensure rangatahi feel safe and encouraged to participate.
• Not having anyone to do it with (21%), highlighting the need for more social and peer-led activity opportunities.

For females, a fear of failure (21%) is a notable barrier, while males are more likely to report simply preferring other activities. Balance is Better promotes a shift in focus away from early specialisation and high-pressure competition towards creating positive, low-stakes environments where young people feel comfortable trying new activities without fear of judgment.

Where Are Rangatahi Active?

Understanding where young people prefer to be active can help tailor future offerings to better meet their needs. Schools and homes remain the most common locations, but rangatahi also enjoy activity in:

• Outdoor sports facilities, such as local parks and playing fields which provide accessible and flexible spaces for informal play.
• Gyms and fitness centres, indicating a growing interest in structured exercise and strength training.
• Public parks and fields, reinforcing the importance of maintaining and investing in these community spaces.
• Walkways and off-road tracks, which appeal to those who enjoy running, walking, and cycling in scenic environments.

By designing programmes that align with these preferences, we can create more accessible and appealing physical activity experiences that feel relevant and engaging to young people.

From Insights to Action: Future Fit Conference 2025

The latest Voice of Rangatahi data offers both encouraging trends and opportunities for improvement. The key to enhancing engagement lies in using these insights to inform better, more tailored experiences—whether in schools, sports clubs, or community settings.

At the Future Fit Conference on March 12 at BayPark Arena, Tauranga, sport and recreation leaders will come together to explore how to create more meaningful opportunities for rangatahi. International coaching expert Wayne Goldsmith will share valuable strategies on engaging young people, fostering a sense of belonging, and ensuring sport and recreation remain an enjoyable and sustainable part of their lives.

By listening to rangatahi and acting on their insights, we can shape a future where movement is not just an expectation, but a choice—one that young people actively embrace. With the Balance is Better principles guiding our approach, we can ensure that physical activity remains a lifelong, positive experience for all.