Latest news with #AucklandUniversityofTechnology
Scoop
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Groundbreaking Report Reveals The State Of Community Sport In New Zealand
A landmark new report titled 'Stronger Communities Through Sport' has just been released. It's the most comprehensive analysis ever undertaken of the role that sport clubs play in New Zealand's community life. The result of seven years of research, the pioneering report draws on findings from the National Sport Club Survey (NSCS), a joint initiative of the New Zealand Amateur Sport Association Inc. (NZASA) and Auckland University of Technology (AUT). The report provides a totally unprecedented insight into the challenges, opportunities, and shifting landscape of grassroots sport in New Zealand from 2018 to 2024. From declining volunteer numbers to evolving partnerships and the impact of legislative reform, the findings presented in the report are both sobering and inspiring. Important statistics from the report include: • Sport club membership has rebounded by 12% since its pandemic low in 2021. • Volunteer numbers have dropped by 28% since 2018—placing increasing pressure on club and coaches. • Only 36% of clubs report gender-balanced governance, highlighting ongoing equity challenges. • 56% of clubs now have formal partnerships with schools, signalling closer alignment between education and community sport. • 72% of clubs are concerned about long-term financial sustainability, with many relying on just one or two core funders. • Climate resilience is emerging as a key theme, with nearly one in five clubs reporting disruption from extreme weather events in the past two years. 'This is the first time we've had such an accurate, long-term dataset covering the actual experience of New Zealand's sport clubs,' said NZASA Chair Gordon Noble-Campbell. 'These sport clubs are the beating heart of our communities providing important social benefits, not only to sport. This significant report provides important, data-driven insights that will inform future policy, funding, and support across the entire sector. This is a game-changer for community sport.' The report also addresses underrepresentation in club leadership, emerging sponsorship strategies, and the need for inclusive access across all demographics. It also reflects the sector's remarkable resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic and shows clear areas for innovation, investment, and reform. Already being shared and read nationally and internationally, Stronger Communities Through Sport is certain to inspire, inform and shape discussion across community sport, education, health, and local government. The NZASA encourages anyone involved in sport, including volunteers, players, administrators, and supporters, to download the report and reflect on how its insights can help build a stronger, more inclusive sporting future for all New Zealanders, and in communities across the world.
Scoop
20-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Former New Zealand PM Helen Clark Blames Cook Islands For Creating A Crisis
Article – RNZ Helen Clark says the Cook Islands government entered into a strategic partnership with a major power nation – China – without consulting New Zealand. Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific Presenter/Producer Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark believes the Cook Islands, a realm of New Zealand, caused a crisis for itself by not consulting Wellington before signing a deal with China. The New Zealand government has paused more than $18 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands after the latter failed to provide satisfactory answers to Aotearoa's questions about its partnership agreement with Beijing. The Cook Islands is in free association with New Zealand and governs its own affairs. But New Zealand provides assistance with foreign affairs (upon request), disaster relief, and defence. The 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration signed between the two nations requires them to consult each other on defence and security, which Winston Peters said had not been honoured. Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown both have a difference of opinion on the level of consultation required between the two nations on such matters. 'There is no way that the 2001 declaration envisaged that Cook Islands would enter into a strategic partnership with a great power behind New Zealand's back,' Clark told RNZ Pacific on Thursday. Clark was a signatory of the 2001 agreement with the Cook Islands as New Zealand prime minister at the time. 'It is the Cook Islands government's actions which have created this crisis,' she said. 'The urgent need now is for face-to-face dialogue at a high level to mend the NZ-CI relationship.' Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has downplayed the pause in funding to the Cook Islands during his second day of his trip to China. Brown told parliament on Thursday (Wednesday, Cook Islands time) that his government knew the funding cut was coming. He also suggested a double standard, pointing out that New Zealand has entered also deals with China that the Cook Islands was not 'privy to or being consulted on'. A Pacific law expert says that, while New Zealand has every right to withhold its aid to the Cook Islands, the way it is going about it will not endear it to Pacific nations. Auckland University of Technology (AUT) senior law lecturer and a former Pacific Islands Forum advisor Sione Tekiteki told RNZ Pacific that for Aotearoa to keep highlighting that it is 'a Pacific country and yet posture like the United States gives mixed messages'. 'Obviously, Pacific nations in true Pacific fashion will not say much, but they are indeed thinking it,' Tekiteki said. Since day dot there has been a misunderstanding on what the 2001 agreement legally required New Zealand and Cook Islands to consult on, and the word consultation has become somewhat of a sticking point. The latest statement from the Cook Islands government confirms it is still a discrepancy both sides want to hash out. 'There has been a breakdown and difference in the interpretation of the consultation requirements committed to by the two governments in the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration,' the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) said. 'An issue that the Cook Islands is determined to address as a matter of urgency'. Tekiteki said that, unlike a treaty, the 2001 declaration was not 'legally binding' per se but serves more to express the intentions, principles and commitments of the parties to work together in 'recognition of the close traditional, cultural and social ties that have existed between the two countries for many hundreds of years'. He said the declaration made it explicitly clear that Cook Islands had full conduct of its foreign affairs, capacity to enter treaties and international agreements in its own right and full competence of its defence and security. However, he added that there was a commitment of the parties to 'consult regularly'. This, for Clark, the New Zealand leader who signed the all-important agreement more than two decades ago, this is where Brown misstepped. Clark previously labelled the Cook Islands-China deal 'clandestine' which has 'damaged' its relationship with New Zealand. RNZ Pacific contacted the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment but was advised by the MFAI secretary that they are not currently accommodating interviews.
Scoop
20-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Former New Zealand PM Helen Clark Blames Cook Islands For Creating A Crisis
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark believes the Cook Islands, a realm of New Zealand, caused a crisis for itself by not consulting Wellington before signing a deal with China. The New Zealand government has paused more than $18 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands after the latter failed to provide satisfactory answers to Aotearoa's questions about its partnership agreement with Beijing. The Cook Islands is in free association with New Zealand and governs its own affairs. But New Zealand provides assistance with foreign affairs (upon request), disaster relief, and defence. The 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration signed between the two nations requires them to consult each other on defence and security, which Winston Peters said had not been honoured. Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown both have a difference of opinion on the level of consultation required between the two nations on such matters. "There is no way that the 2001 declaration envisaged that Cook Islands would enter into a strategic partnership with a great power behind New Zealand's back," Clark told RNZ Pacific on Thursday. Clark was a signatory of the 2001 agreement with the Cook Islands as New Zealand prime minister at the time. "It is the Cook Islands government's actions which have created this crisis," she said. "The urgent need now is for face-to-face dialogue at a high level to mend the NZ-CI relationship." Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has downplayed the pause in funding to the Cook Islands during his second day of his trip to China. Brown told parliament on Thursday (Wednesday, Cook Islands time) that his government knew the funding cut was coming. He also suggested a double standard, pointing out that New Zealand has entered also deals with China that the Cook Islands was not "privy to or being consulted on". A Pacific law expert says that, while New Zealand has every right to withhold its aid to the Cook Islands, the way it is going about it will not endear it to Pacific nations. Auckland University of Technology (AUT) senior law lecturer and a former Pacific Islands Forum advisor Sione Tekiteki told RNZ Pacific that for Aotearoa to keep highlighting that it is "a Pacific country and yet posture like the United States gives mixed messages". "Obviously, Pacific nations in true Pacific fashion will not say much, but they are indeed thinking it," Tekiteki said. Since day dot there has been a misunderstanding on what the 2001 agreement legally required New Zealand and Cook Islands to consult on, and the word consultation has become somewhat of a sticking point. The latest statement from the Cook Islands government confirms it is still a discrepancy both sides want to hash out. "There has been a breakdown and difference in the interpretation of the consultation requirements committed to by the two governments in the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration," the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) said. "An issue that the Cook Islands is determined to address as a matter of urgency". Tekiteki said that, unlike a treaty, the 2001 declaration was not "legally binding" per se but serves more to express the intentions, principles and commitments of the parties to work together in "recognition of the close traditional, cultural and social ties that have existed between the two countries for many hundreds of years". He said the declaration made it explicitly clear that Cook Islands had full conduct of its foreign affairs, capacity to enter treaties and international agreements in its own right and full competence of its defence and security. However, he added that there was a commitment of the parties to "consult regularly". This, for Clark, the New Zealand leader who signed the all-important agreement more than two decades ago, this is where Brown misstepped. Clark previously labelled the Cook Islands-China deal "clandestine" which has "damaged" its relationship with New Zealand. RNZ Pacific contacted the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment but was advised by the MFAI secretary that they are not currently accommodating interviews.
Scoop
05-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Space Scholarships For Seven University Students
Press Release – New Zealand Government The students, Asif Rasha (Auckland University of Technology), Shivam Desai (University of Auckland), Felix Goddard, Jack Patterson (University of Canterbury), Mark Bishop, Sofie Claridge and Taran John (Victoria University of Wellington), received their … Minister for Space Seven university students have been awarded New Zealand Space Scholarships to intern at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. 'This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these incredibly capable students. They will gain invaluable experience working on projects alongside scientists and engineers who are part of world-leading NASA missions,' Ms Collins says. 'These three-month internships will equip them with real-world skills to kick-startexciting careers in New Zealand's fast-growing space industry.' The students, Asif Rasha (Auckland University of Technology), Shivam Desai (University of Auckland), Felix Goddard, Jack Patterson (University of Canterbury), Mark Bishop, Sofie Claridge and Taran John (Victoria University of Wellington), received their scholarships at a ceremony today. The students will work on projects across the space spectrum, from deep space communication, the Big Bang and the early universe, to mission analysis. 'These scholarships, along with the Prime Minister's Space Prizes, help us encourage the next generation of talent to ensure we have an aerospace-capable workforce. This is a key part of our plan to double the size of our space and advanced aviation sectors by 2030,' Ms Collins says. 'Last month I released an economic report that shows New Zealand's space and advanced aviation sectors are thriving – growing by 53 percent in the five years to 2024. The space sector contributed $2.47b to the economy in the 2023-24 financial year, while the advanced aviation sector, which overlaps with the space sector, contributed $480 million.' More information about the 2025 NZ Space Scholarship recipients and the projects they'll work on is available on the MBIE website. Applications are open now for the 2025 Prime Minister's Space Prizes, which recognise and encourage innovative expertise through the Professional Excellence category and the Student Endeavour category.
Scoop
05-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Space Scholarships For Seven University Students
Press Release – New Zealand Government The students, Asif Rasha (Auckland University of Technology), Shivam Desai (University of Auckland), Felix Goddard, Jack Patterson (University of Canterbury), Mark Bishop, Sofie Claridge and Taran John (Victoria University of Wellington), received their … Minister for Space Seven university students have been awarded New Zealand Space Scholarships to intern at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. 'This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these incredibly capable students. They will gain invaluable experience working on projects alongside scientists and engineers who are part of world-leading NASA missions,' Ms Collins says. 'These three-month internships will equip them with real-world skills to kick-startexciting careers in New Zealand's fast-growing space industry.' The students, Asif Rasha (Auckland University of Technology), Shivam Desai (University of Auckland), Felix Goddard, Jack Patterson (University of Canterbury), Mark Bishop, Sofie Claridge and Taran John (Victoria University of Wellington), received their scholarships at a ceremony today. The students will work on projects across the space spectrum, from deep space communication, the Big Bang and the early universe, to mission analysis. 'These scholarships, along with the Prime Minister's Space Prizes, help us encourage the next generation of talent to ensure we have an aerospace-capable workforce. This is a key part of our plan to double the size of our space and advanced aviation sectors by 2030,' Ms Collins says. 'Last month I released an economic report that shows New Zealand's space and advanced aviation sectors are thriving – growing by 53 percent in the five years to 2024. The space sector contributed $2.47b to the economy in the 2023-24 financial year, while the advanced aviation sector, which overlaps with the space sector, contributed $480 million.' More information about the 2025 NZ Space Scholarship recipients and the projects they'll work on is available on the MBIE website. Applications are open now for the 2025 Prime Minister's Space Prizes, which recognise and encourage innovative expertise through the Professional Excellence category and the Student Endeavour category.
