THURSDAY MARCH 12, 2026
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MARCH 12, 2026
Sports stats surprise Waitomo mayor John Robertson says data showing Waitomo youngsters are not moving as much as others in the Waikato is a surprise. Robertson said the district council is keen to address a Sport Waikato report which The News revealed last week. “I am surprised by the statistics,” he said. “We have plenty of facilities and opportunities for activity – extensive parks and reserves, lots of organised sports and indoor sports facilities including the Gallagher Recreation Centre.” While the findings may paint an unflattering picture, Sport Waikato’s chief executive and former All Black Mathew Cooper said that little improvements will
Matthew Cooper
make a big difference. “Kids don’t need to be elite athletes to get the benefits of movement. What’s important is that movement becomes part of everyday life,” he said. “That might be walking or biking to school, playing outside with friends, kicking a ball around at lunchtime, helping out at home or joining in with community sport. It doesn’t have to be through organised sport, lots of small moments of movement throughout the day really add up.” Sport Waikato’s data was sourced through the Voice of Tamariki, Moving Waikato Youth and Voice of Rangatahi surveys, both of which focused on physical activity levels among children. For tamariki (Year 3–8), 35 per cent of Waitomo respondents reported they had been involved in movement in the past week compared to the Waikato regional average of 56 per cent. Among rangatahi (Year 7–14), 19 per cent were physically active for at least 60 minutes per day during the previous week compared with 45 per cent Waikatowide. Exactly why Waitomo children are less active depends on a wide range of factors. The availability
of local sports facilities and programmes as well as simply the amount of time parents have to spend with their children can all play a role. Sport Waikato has been assessing the types of activity in which children engage in and says working with King Country schools and councils is essential in improving outcomes. “At Sport Waikato, we’re working alongside schools, clubs, councils and communities to make opportunities easier and more accessible, so being active is a normal part of growing up,” Cooper said. “Councils play a really important role in creating environments that make it easier for tamariki and rangatahi to be active, including things like providing safe parks and playgrounds, walking and cycling pathways, community spaces and supporting local sport and recreation opportunities.” In combination and comparison with other district councils, a regional overview is expected to ensure Waitomo’s grassroots become better trod. “When councils work alongside schools, community groups and organisations like Sport Waikato, it helps ensure communities have accessible
places and programmes that encourage everyday movement,” Cooper said. Comparisons with Waitomo’s nearest neighbours will have
to wait. Cooper and his teammate, Steve Dalgety, are in the process of presenting district profiles to all of the region’s district councils. However, Waipā and
Ōtorohanga appearances have been postponed due to the recent flooding. Data remains confidential until these presentations have been made.
In the throes
Te Kūiti woolhandler Keryn Herbert competed as an individual and a part of a Cook Islands team at the Golden Shears in Masterton last weekend. She was part of a strong King Country contingent – as we report on Page 8 today.
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