InterAktive LIVE 2023 - Whiria ngā aho o Tāmaki | Weave together the strands of Tāmaki

With the growing challenges of climate change and the constant developments in technology, how does the sport and recreation sector keep up to date and thrive? This was a key question posed at the recent InterAktive LIVE, an event designed to encourage collaboration through sharing insights and experiences.  

Held at Go Media Stadium, the one-day event was delivered by Aktive with support from Auckland Council and Sport New Zealand. It brought together more than 100 sport and recreation leaders from across Tāmaki Makaurau to address shared challenges, learn about new and innovative approaches, and be inspired by different thinking.

Jennah Wootten, Chief Executive of Aktive, says this year’s InterAktive LIVE addressed some big topics, delving into detail thanks to the knowledge and expertise of an impressive speaker line up.

“The purpose of InterAktive LIVE 2023 was twofold: to support the sector’s collective development and to foster further connection and collaboration. We know from engagement with leaders in the sport and recreation sector that climate change and technology are two key topics people are keen to understand further. InterAktive LIVE was a great opportunity to help us all learn more in the context of our sector and explore the ‘so what’ and the ‘now what.’”

Hosted by Olympian and sports presenter Sarah Cowley Ross, attendees heard from a range of world-class speakers featuring:

• Councillor Richard Hills, Chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee, Auckland Council who discussed rebuilding and upgrading for the future given the reality of climate change and emphasised the role of “collective responsibility”
• Sarah Murray, Chief Executive, Recreation Aotearoa talked further to this, encouraging attendees to “build awareness around your impact” and consider natural resources and the natural environment
• Dr Parin Rafiei-Thompson, Head of Climate Change & Sustainability, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited explained how sport and recreation can be used as a platform for discussions on climate change through eco-friendly decisions and education
• Sir Ian Taylor, CNZM Founder/Managing Director, Animation Research Ltd spoke about putting technology in perspective, stating “it’s not always about technology – it’s often about thinking and attitude”
• Edmund Bartley, Technology Consultant, Sport New Zealand talked to the differing appetites and speeds to adopt technology changes, and
• Jonathan Jansen, CEO, New Zealand Esports Federation explained the esports approach which asks, “how do I bend this technology to overcome its flaws?”

A panel session with six students from Royal Oak Intermediate saw tamariki share their thoughts, speaking on what they want for their future. This was followed by a focus on change management and doing things differently, with attendees hearing from speakers:

• Nick Petrie, researcher, speaker and author on leadership, resilience and burnout prevention who tested and talked through the important differences between pressure versus stress, and rumination verses reflection, as well as the benefits of an ‘opposite world’ outside of work which is an activity/hobby that is the direct opposite of an individual’s mindset at work and helps to recharges them
• Iain Laxon, Chief Executive Officer, Auckland Cricket talked to change examples in the organisation, notably the introduction of a four-day working week, recognising the seasonal element of cricket
• Stefan Pishief, Chief Executive Officer, Sport Gisborne Tairāwhiti explained the introduction of wellbeing weeks for the Regional Sports Trust which has been trialled with positive results.

These thought-provoking sessions were complemented by an interactive workshop, with attendees getting the chance to discuss what they had heard and the impact for them as individuals and their organisations and rounded off with 18 One NZ Warriors jerseys being drawn as spot prizes. These were kindly provided by One NZ who were also in attendance throughout the day.

Jennah Wootten says: “InterAktive LIVE is a chance for people in the sport and recreation sector to press pause and think about the future of a more active Tāmaki Makaurau. It was energising to unplug for the day to enable quality time to connect and to hear from some thought-provoking speakers that can help to shape our future strategies and approaches for the benefit of all Aucklanders but particularly our young people.”

Click here to reach Nick Petrie’s whitepaper on reducing stress and rumination, and find out more at Nicholas Petrie | Leadership Consultant.