Active environments: creating the spaces that support Aucklanders to be active

The places and spaces where Aucklanders play, move and connect are as important as the activities themselves. From sports fields and recreation centres to parks, courts and open spaces, our region's active environments shape how - and if - people choose to be active.

As Tāmaki Makaurau continues to grow, the need for quality spaces that support sport and physical activity is growing with it. But making sure the right spaces are available in the right places to meet this demand isn’t a simple task.

Strategic planning and efficiently delivering infrastructure are key to making sure Aucklanders have access to future-proofed facilities and open spaces that make it easier to be active.

We know that well-designed active environments have a direct impact on participation. When facilities are accessible, welcoming and fit for purpose, they lead to positive experiences for the people who use them and encourage them to return.

With this in mind, Aktive’s 2024-2028 Strategy lists 'Active Environments' as one of the four strategic priorities we believe will play a part in achieving our vision of Auckland being the world’s most active city. 

It’s not just about building more facilities, though. Instead, it's also about making the most of what we facilities we already have, ensuring they are available to different codes and user groups. An example of this is schools making their play, active recreation and sporting facilities like gyms and pools are available to the wider community when they are not needed by the school - the Increasing Community Access to Schools Toolkit has been developed to assist with this.

Our communities want and need the right places to play and be active, but there are a lot of things to consider when creating the spaces and places that work now and into the future. It’s important to plan and design them well and make sure they’re affordable funded properly, operationally sustainable to keep them in good shape and to ensure they are future proofed.

Aktive supports this work by helping community organisations navigate the complexities that come with developing active environments. Our team offers a variety of services in this area, including support with the development process such as needs assessments, feasibility studies, facility planning and development.

We can provide facility operation and maintenance guidance, and engagement and collaboration facilitation. We’re also well versed in strategic and funding advice and support, including through initiatives such as the Funders’ Forum and the Tāmaki Makaurau Sport and Recreation Facility Priority Plan.

We also have a number of resources that can assist organisations with better planning and designing of fit-for-purpose facilities, and we can provide strategic guidance on National Facility Strategies, Regional Code Facility Plans and Local Board Sport and Active Recreation Facility Plans .

Creating quality active environments is a shared responsibility. By working together as a sector, we can make sure that planning, investment and delivery are lined up. The result? Auckland’s spaces and places will continue to support positive, inclusive experiences for years to come.

To learn more, click here  or email the Aktive team.