I N S I G H TS R E PO R T 31 – A PR IL 20 22 IN S IG H TS R E PO R T 6 – … … … . . 20 1 9
Recreating recreation postpandemic Providing quality recreation in a constantly changing world is challenging. Our traditional delivery systems have been compromised, education and work patterns disrupted and at a personal level we’re still concerned for our own and our whanau’s health.
What are the longer-term implications, at all levels? Individuals ‘Long COVID’ is not a single condition, and can be accompanied by chronic fatigue. The WHO documents an increase in anxiety and depression worldwide and reports worsened health outcomes ‘for those already disadvantaged in society’. Decades of progress have been undone in gender equity [for example]. Impact on recreation: Customer experience As a result of the pandemic and lockdowns, some people have developed social anxiety or continue to be afraid of getting sick. But many have discovered different recreation and leisure activities.
Organisations Negative impacts on our delivery system, and organisations include the ability to plan longterm – a huge challenge in a period of economic and social uncertainty.
NZRA Insights Report – Fight, Flight or Freeze in the Red Zone
Figure 1 Photo: Whenua Iti Outdoors. https://www.whenuaiti.org.nz/
Staff wellbeing including team morale Staff are dealing with their own and their family/whanau’s health, the impact of stress and their ability to manage continuous change. Impacts may include lower team morale, having to manage customer anxiety and the pressure of providing quality experiences with reduced staff. Recruitment and retention Recruitment and retention continue to be challenges, with changing labour markets including the impact of immigration policies and the pending ‘Big Resignation’. Staffing numbers may have reduced temporarily or permanently, and some sectors are hiring and training new staff at speed. Business continuity There are significant negative impacts on the financial viability of organisations, with reduced memberships and attendees, pressure on revenue streams and increasing expenditure through rising prices and pressure on wages in response to increasing inflation. For many the loss of qualified and experienced staff is challenging.
Communities In New Zealand, Māori and Pacific peoples and disabled people have experienced a far greater impact from COVID19. Many migrant communities have been separated by the challenges of immigration policy. We have heard the voice of the dispossessed and alienated, which resonated nationwide via the demonstrations. Wounds from such events will not heal overnight.
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