Wednesday 29 June 2000
Sport, Fitness and Leisure Minister Trevor Mallard today announced the membership and terms of reference into the
Government's Ministerial Taskforce into Sport, Fitness and Leisure.
The Taskforce will be headed by former Auckland Grammar School principal and former All Black John Graham and will
report back to the Government by the end of the year.
Other members will be lawyer and mountaineer David Collins; former world squash champion Dame Susan Devoy; New Zealand
Recreation Association president Janet MacKay; Black Ferns captain Farah Palmer - a coaching co-ordinator; Cardiologist
Dr Mark Simmonds - a Clinical Senior Lecturer at Wellington Clinical School of Medicine; and Glenn Turner, former NZ
Cricket Team Captain and Coach and Chief Executive of the Otago Sports Trust.
"We have set the taskforce a major challenge," Trevor Mallard said.
"But the sector is in desperate need for leadership and a vision for the future. And while Government does not 'own'
sport, there are so many benefits from a healthy sector that we have a responsibility to help it flourish.
"Our Government's overall objectives for the sporting sector are to increase participation and support excellence.
"The terms of reference focus around these objectives and I have asked the taskforce to clearly define a vision for a
sport, fitness and leisure sector that will meet the needs of New Zealanders over the next 25 years," Trevor Mallard
said.
Contact: Moerangi Vercoe (Press Secretary) 04 471 9080 or 025 270 9194
Attached: Terms of reference and further details of taskforce members
MINISTERIAL TASKFORCE
ON SPORT, FITNESS & LEISURE
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Introduction
1. A Ministerial Taskforce has been established to define the vision for sport, fitness and leisure in New Zealand for
the next 25 years, identify the necessary strategies to encourage and sustain the interest, participation and
achievement of New Zealanders in sport, fitness and leisure and to complete a review of long-term structural
arrangements for the sport, fitness and leisure sector.
2. The work of the Taskforce shall be broad-based and recognise sport, fitness & leisure in its widest possible context and shall not be limited to structure and economics. The review shall be future
focused, explore options for change, collaboration with key government portfolios and seek to bring sport, fitness and
leisure into a clear government policy framework. The Taskforce shall take cognisance of the Government's principles of
access, equity and participation.
.
Terms of Reference
3 The review team has been asked to:
clearly define the vision for the sport, fitness and leisure sector that meet the needs of New Zealanders for the next
25 years
identify the necessary strategies to encourage and sustain the interest and participation of New Zealanders in sport,
fitness and leisure and in particular for Maori and Pacific Island communities
examine the adequacy of the current sport, fitness and leisure delivery system
examine the rationale for and adequacy of the Government’s current involvement in the sport, fitness and leisure
sector
identify the issues and constraints impacting on the sport, fitness and leisure sector
clearly define the necessary Government commitment, desired outcomes, roles and responsibilities in relation to sport,
fitness and leisure
provide advice on the most effective and efficient policy delivery structures for all levels of the sport, fitness and
leisure sector
identify the current and forward funding streams together with any structural changes to the delivery systems in the
sport, fitness and leisure sector
identify linkages with other areas of Government and propose workable mechanisms and commitments for multi-sectorial
collaboration through engagement of these sectors and the sport, fitness and leisure sector
identify linkages and strategies for Government and the private sector to improve the investment arrangements in the
sport, fitness and leisure sector
4 In making its assessment and developing recommendations the Taskforce will also be asked to investigate and
include particular comment on:
progress towards the findings and recommendations of “Sport on the Move”, “Recreation and Government in New Zealand”
and "The Winning Way" reports
the nature and scope of the sport, fitness and leisure sector
the role of informal leisure activities in current society and the extent to which these should be supported
the role and inter-relationships between club and school sport and physical activity programmes, national
organisations, regional sports trusts, the Hillary Commission, the NZ Olympic Committee and the NZ Sports Foundation and
other funding agencies
the role of central, regional and local government in the provision of support services and facilities and the impact
of user pays on participation in sport, fitness and leisure activities
the role of outdoor recreation and the national park system as a recreational facility for all New Zealanders and the
role of adventure in developing self esteem for young people
issues surrounding the sovereignty of organised sport and recreation organisations in New Zealand
the impact of the globalisation of sport and the increased commercialism of sport through television and mega events
promotion of trade and tourism through sport, fitness and leisure
issues affecting levels of sponsorship for both individual athletes and for sporting codes
the contribution of the sport, fitness and leisure sector to the economy, to society and to the health of the nation
the contribution made by volunteers and the importance of recognising volunteer effort
opportunities for advancing physical activity in the Maori and Pacific Island communities of New Zealand including
a strategy to support and encourage Mäori participation in sport from amateur through to professional levels
sponsorship and/or financial support for emerging Mäori sporting talent.
sport as a profession for Mäori and clearly identified career pathways to achieve this.
employment opportunities for Mäori in sport including support roles.
role modelling by top Mäori sporting personalities.
the most appropriate and workable mechanisms for multi-sectoral collaboration involving the education, social
services, justice and health portfolios in bringing about sustained participation of New Zealanders in sport, fitness
and leisure
sources of funding for sport, fitness and leisure
the basis of a robust and wide ranging government policy on sport, fitness and leisure in New Zealand
the most appropriate and workable mechanisms for multi-sectoral collaboration involving central and local government,
the voluntary and commercial sector in bringing about the best outcomes for sport, fitness and leisure
5 In achieving its task, the Taskforce is charged with implementing a comprehensive consultation programme, which
will include the following:
a) identification of key sector groups
b) discussions with key sector groups
c) discussions with key government agencies
d) obtaining expert advice to assist in examining key issues
e) inviting submissions and holding public consultation sessions
f) researching, via the internet, similar nations' sport, fitness & leisure systems
g) preparing a final report for the Minister of Sport, Fitness & Leisure, recommending appropriate action, by 15 December 2000. This report should comprise:
A clearly defined vision for sport, fitness and leisure in New Zealand
A coherent philosophy and framework for government and non-government involvement in the promotion of and support for
sport, fitness & leisure initiatives in New Zealand.
A clearly defined structural framework to support Government and non-Government commitments and objectives in the
sport, fitness and leisure portfolio.
Implementation strategies which include resource requirements and key milestones to achieve the vision.
h) Cabinet will subsequently consider any such report in February 2001 for policy adoption and appropriate resource
allocations.
6 The Taskforce Members are:
John Graham (Chairman), former Headmaster of Auckland Grammar, former All Black and former manager of the NZ Cricket
Team. Mr Graham is a Trustee of the Woolf Fisher Trust and the NZ Education Scholarship Trust, Director of Owens Group
Ltd and member of Council of the University of Auckland.
David Collins QC, a Barrister specialising in medical law, Vice-President of the Wellington District Law Society and
Council Member NZ Law Society. Mr Collins is a former partner of Rainey Collins Wright and Co, former Clerk to Judges of
the High Court and Court of Appeal and Tutor in Law at Victoria University
Dame Susan Devoy, former World Squash Champion and winner of the 1985 Sportsperson of the Year Award. Dame Susan is a
Governor of the NZ Sports Foundation, Chair of the Halberg Trust and operates an independent sport management business.
Janet MacKay, former Community and Recreation Planning Manager for Dunedin City Council and Director of Recreation in
Nova Scotia Canada. Ms MacKay is Executive Director of Womens Golf NZ and President of NZ Recreation Association
Farah Palmer, Captain of NZ Women's Rugby Team the Black Ferns and Coaching Co-ordinator for Schoolgirls Rugby in
Dunedin. Ms Palmer has a Bachelor of Physical Education (First Class Honours) and is currently enrolled as a Ph.D
student in Physical Education.
Dr Mark Simmonds, a Cardiologist at Wellington Public Hospital and Clinical Senior Lecturer at Wellington Clinical
School of Medicine. Dr Simmonds is also Secretary Committee for Physician Training (NZ), Royal Australasian College of
Physicians and a previous examiner, Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
Glenn Turner, former NZ Cricket Team Captain and Coach and Chief Executive of the Otago Sports Trust. Mr Turner was a
member of the 1985 Sport on the Move Review and currently runs cricket coaching clinics.
7 All correspondence for the Taskforce should be directed to Sport, Fitness & Leisure Review C/- PO Box 99-516, Newmarket, Auckland.