Notes from
the sector floor.
Articles, sector commentary and case study retrospectives from the RSL team. Practical reading for people working in recreation, sport and leisure.
Local Government Reform: What It Means for Recreation, Sport & Community Services
On the 7th of May the NZ government announced a 'simplification' of Local Government in New Zealand - proposing the replacement of regional councils and amalgamations of territorial authorities. RSL is releasing a four-article series to help the sector navigate it.
Local Government
Reform
We're unpacking what the announcements mean for your organisation, drawing on international models and offering strategies to future-proof your community delivery.
- 01Part 01 - How prepared are we for change?Read →
- 02Part 02 - Lessons learned, or not?Read →
- 03Part 03 - Delivery models most likely to succeed under reformComing soon
- 04Part 04 - Emerging LG Reform models: an assessment of change to dateComing soon
Latest insights.
Commercial Spaces in Public Places: Is it Time to Update the 1977 Reserves Act?
He Kupenga Mātauranga is a stunning new community facility in the heart of Greymouth. At the heart of the building is the modern library, complete with a cafe overlooking the awa, an indoor playground, study rooms and public computers.
More Than Just a Pitch: Maximising Venue Utility with Junior Sport
It is always great to see Aotearoa's premier venues being utilised for junior sport. The latest example I witnessed was the Basin Reserve being used for under-12's football on a windy Wellington morning in the weekend.
Local Government Reform: Lessons Learned, or not?
Have we looked back at history enough to learn lessons and improve on the past, or are we blindly pushing forward? A look at previous reform - NZ 1989, Auckland Supercity, England, and Scandinavia - to draw out themes we can prepare for now.
Local Government Reform: How Prepared are Sport, Recreation and Community Services for Change?
Central Government's ultimatum to Councils - propose an approach to amalgamation or face a forced alternative - is creating understandable anxiety. Reassurance is found in focusing on what can be controlled. Practical guidance on how to prepare now.
Shipping Containers in Community Sport: Affordable Asset or Public Eyesore?
In this day and age is there a place for shipping containers as part of the facility mix at community sport and recreation venues?
A Century Strong: Celebrating 100 Years of the Balcairn Hall
Te Kaha was not the only facility to celebrate a milestone in Canterbury over ANZAC weekend. On a warm autumnal day it was heartening to pop into the Balcairn Hall.
Strengthening Our Sector Through Shared Knowledge
My mum sent me a nice message of support before RSL embarked on a busy week last week. Her wise words were 'sharing knowledge is one of the most powerful things we can do'.
Reimagining Spaces: What Europe Can Teach Us About Repurposing Facilities
Transforming facilities from one purpose to another is commonplace in some countries. In NZ we often do it because it is the quickest and cheapest option - but Europe shows what creative repurposing looks like.
The Power of Connection: Learning From Our Sector, Here and Abroad
There is something special about our sector. The willingness for people to come together and share knowledge helps us all learn and grow.
Global Inspiration, Local Pride: Highlights from the IAKS 2025 Congress in Cologne
The IAKS 2025 Congress brought speakers from around the world. Two themes ran through the day: net-zero carbon facilities, and measuring the social return of recreation amenities.
Pedals, Planning, and Play: My DIY Field Trip Before IAKS 2025
What do you do when the field trip is cancelled due to low numbers? Easy - you create a field trip yourself.
Championing the Power of Recreation: See You at the Te Whai Oranga Summit
The value that recreation brings to individuals, whānau and the wider community has never been more important.
Fun Sports For All Ages
A community newspaper page dedicated to women and girls participating in sport, emphasising the importance of 'fun' and 'all ages' messaging.
Waiuta: How Sport and Recreation Built a Community That Still Echoes Today
Communities evolve and change, some more quickly than others. The thread through the change is the need for connection and belonging - something recreation and sport deliver so well on.
Investing Beyond the Now: Building Recreation for Future Generations
Participation trends in the play, sport and recreation system are continuing to change. That change needs to be supported by strategies that can adapt.
Frosty Morning, Warm Connections: Canterbury's Rec Sector Comes Together
The power of people coming together - meeting for the first time or reacquainting - is the value of networking.
Mother's Day With A Spade
You've got to love a good working bee. On Sunday we had the opportunity to participate in a community planting day.
Old Buildings, New Purpose: Lessons from Temuka
On recent travels I came across this gem. In a previous life it was a supermarket. In 1997 the Timaru District Council repurposed the building.
The Frog Pond: A Glimpse into Community History
Does history become more interesting as we age? Or is that just me? On a recent trip to the West Coast we stopped at the Historic Kumara Baths site.
Celebrating 40 Years of Community at Lake Kaniere
The social cohesion benefits of sport, recreation and community are alive and well in New Zealand.
Dora Greenwood: A Pioneer for Play
Walking along the foreshore in Eastbourne recently, I came across Greenwood Park and the plaque dedicated to a quiet pioneer for children’s play.
Lessons from the Road: Reflections from Conference Week
National Recreation Conference was held last week. I always love conference week as people come together to discuss relevant topics, network and reflect.
See You at RA Conference 2025!
Looking forward to having a conversation with Recreation Aotearoa National Conference attendees in November.
Back at Cooks Gardens: Where Inspiration Began
It is great to be back at Cooks Gardens in Whanganui today; a place very close to my heart.
Standing Up for Community Wellbeing
The recent speech by the Prime Minister for Local Government to get back to the basics really troubled me. This post isn't a political position - it's about community.
A Visit to Vivo in Calgary
I was very lucky to visit the Vivo for Healthier Generations Center in Calgary today.
Lancaster Park: Then and Now
Really enjoyed checking out the re-developed Lancaster Park in the weekend as part of a work field trip.
What is the future role of a sports club in a community?
A visit to Pōrangahau sports club reveals how community sports facilities serve broader wellbeing purposes beyond athletics.
NC Premier Netball Final
Enjoyed watching the NC Premier Netball Final tonight. A nice way to spend a Thursday evening supporting a sport.
Recreation Aotearoa | Te Whai Oranga Aotearoa National Awards
Fantastic to see Te Tai Tokerau regional planning projects, including Kōkiri ai Te Waka Hourua, recognised at the national awards.
Community
We sat down at the back of the church hall. It was a relatively foreign place. We were quietly asked for our gold coin 'donation'.
Selwyn District Spaces & Places
Yesterday was a fantastic day of learning for me (and hopefully others). I worked alongside Dave Tippett and Peter Magson.