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Background

Introduction

Having great sport and recreation opportunities in the Taupō District makes it a great place to live and visit, supporting the Council’s vision to be the most prosperous and liveable district in the North Island.

Being active or just being outdoors has positive physical and mental health outcomes. Taupō District’s unique taiao (environmental) features - like the lakes, rivers, and forests - promote getting active and exploring nature.

Sport and recreation also enhance social connection and engagement and for youth, sport is recognised as providing benefits associated with reducing anti-social behaviour and youth offending. We are also increasingly seeing youth turning to forms of active recreation (jogging, biking, skateboarding).

Taupō District is also known as the “events capital” with a wide range of commercial and community events that rely on our reserves, sportsgrounds and facilities. These events are important in generating economic activity and supporting our retail, hospitality, and accommodation sectors.

Through the Council, the community funds sport and recreation facilities and reserves for community good. The wider community benefits from having good facilities and reserves that everyone can use, that support a wide range of activities and uses, and at all levels, from youth, to social, to competition.

Summary - where we are

We have some great council facilities. Many are popular and loved. But there are opportunities to:

  • Catch up to recent population growth
  • Make improvements to meet modern needs and standards
  • Improve accessibility
  • Ensure we hit the right balance between local sports and events

We have some fantastic sports and recreation clubs that provide amazing opportunities and support Taupō district to be a great place to live. But there are opportunities to:

  • Improve financial sustainability and resilience so clubs remain viable
  • Co-ordinate investment and resources to reduce costs and make the most of what we have

We have lots of reserve land and open spaces. Many are well-used and well-loved and connect us to beautiful natural spaces. But there are opportunities to:

  • Catch up on the growth and popularity of informal recreation
  • Deliver environmental improvements that make our reserves even better places to enjoy
  • Tell our local stories
  • Expand and improve our shared path network

Summary – Where we want to be by 2035

We want to have great facilities that support a wide range of sports and recreation activities:

  • Sports grounds and facilities that are highly used, valued, and meet community needs
  • Affordable, resilient, and financially sustainable council assets

We want to have great sports and recreation opportunities which make Taupō district a great place to live:

  • Adaptable and financially sustainable sports and recreation clubs
  • Inclusive, accessible, and affordable sport and recreation
  • Coordinated investment and resources

We want to have an amazing reserve network that enhances our environment, tells our local stories, and we love getting out to enjoy it:

  • Reserves that are highly used and valued by the community
  • Accessible and enjoyable shared path network and connections
  • Te ao Māori is valued and our environment is enhanced

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