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Recreation
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City of Roswell
P.O. Drawer 1838
Roswell, NM 88202-1838
(505) 624-6700
Fax: 624-6889 |
THE LEISURE INCIDENT
The "VISION" of New Zealand on Sport, Fitness
& Leisure!
February 15, 2026
Mr. Kim Elliott, CPRP
Recreation Director
City of Roswell, NM
New Zealand is one of our counterparts in the
Southern Hemisphere. The country fits within the ‘temperate zone’ south of
the equator just like the United States does above the equator. Even though New
Zealand is about the size of Colorado there are many similarities between the
two nations.
One of those similarities is the nation’s
need to improve the economy to provide for a better quality of life for her
people. The government of New Zealand has created a "Vision for an active
New Zealand" which says:
That all New Zealanders will have
recognized and valued their fundamental right to an active lifestyle. The
expression of being a New Zealander will include the positive experience of
organized, or spontaneous, physical activity. This will lead to a healthier
and more active nation, with social benefits for all, where individuals can
realize their full potential. (Ministerial Taskforce on Sport, Fitness &
Leisure, January 2001, pp. 10)
Why should we mention New Zealand when we live
in the good ol’ US of A? Simply put, they have a vision for a better life for
their own people. Shouldn’t we, also? That is why it is mentioned here in The
Leisure Incident.
It appears that their vision for this better
life is going to place recreation and sport as important factors in their
economic development by helping to improve their best available resource, which
is ‘people’.
Why at this time is the government of New
Zealand starting to pay attention to recreation? Again from the Ministerial
Taskforce on Sport, Fitness & Leisure (pp. 9):
Despite its centrality in New Zealanders’
lives, the proven positive impact of physical activity upon health and
economics and the critical role that recreation and sport play in every New
Zealand day, the sector has been virtually ignored by successive
governments. The public good of recreation and sport must be recognized and
used as the basis for a new national commitment to leadership, strategy,
structures and funding that reflects the vital role of recreation and sport
in new Zealand.
The Ministerial Taskforce says that
"(recreation and sport) has been virtually ignored by successive
governments." New Zealand is waking up to the realization of the
importance of leisure!
Also, in this taskforce report are key
recommendations for implementation of their findings. One of those
recommendations is for "schools to provide more effective prescribed
time for physical education, recreation and sport." Education is
important to the implementation of the plan.
Six major priorities will be emphasized in New
Zealand as they strive to improve their health and well being as a nation. They
are:
- To provide leadership through the
development of a national policy framework.
- To develop and maintain an outstanding
national recreation and sport infrastructure.
- To improve participation in quality
recreation and sport activities.
- To achieve excellence in sports
performance.
- To coordinate and resource the regional
delivery network.
- To develop and disseminate quality
services, programs, products and research.
(
Ministerial
Taskforce on Sport, Fitness & Leisure (pp.11)
Why again are we talking about New Zealand?
There are many similarities between New Zealand
and the United States. However, in the area of realizing the importance of
recreation and sport activities, New Zealanders may have the edge over us!
First of all, New Zealanders realize that sport
and recreation play an important role in the economic health of their nation.
Their most important resource is people!
Secondly, quality physical education in the
schools is necessary for New Zealand to move forward in this area. Education of
the nation in this area is essential!
Thirdly, recreation and sport has to take a
priority role. "This will lead to a
healthier and more active nation, with social benefits for all, where
individuals can realize their full potential."
As we see what other nations are doing to
improve their own economic health and well being, maybe we can pick up some
pointers to help our own greatest resource - our people!
Remember! Parks and Recreation - The Benefits
are Endless!
