The value of outdoor spaces for young people and rangatahi
Sport New Zealand — Ihi Aotearoa has published a report, showcasing the benefits of physical activity in natural spaces for young people:
The value of blue and green spaces: How nature supports physical activity, hauora (health and wellbeing) and development for young people.
As part of that work Sport NZ has explored how trail groups could encourage young people to be involved in the outdoors and in the trail-building experience.
View the slides from the Sport NZ presentation (PDF 5.6MB)
Blue and green spaces and working with rangatahi
- Green spaces (parks, forests) and blue spaces (rivers, lakes, coastlines) promote more vigorous and longer-duration physical activity than urban or indoor environments.
- Just five minutes in nature can boost mental and emotional wellbeing.
- These spaces support creativity, problem-solving, and social connection.
Recommendations:
- Prioritise outdoor settings for young people's recreation.
- Encourage varied movement through diverse natural environments.
- Use nature as a tool for resilience and emotional wellbeing.
Cultural connection and te taiao
- For tangata whenua, being active in nature (te taiao) strengthens whakapapa, kaitiakitanga, and mātauranga Māori.
- Activities like harvesting kai or connecting with atua deepen hauora (holistic wellbeing).
Recommendations:
- Embed Māori values and practices in outdoor recreation.
- Partner with iwi and hapū to co-design culturally relevant experiences.
- Use frameworks like Te Whetū Rehua to guide kaupapa Māori approaches.
Youth engagement in trail building
- Trail building offers rangatahi practical skills, physical activity, and a sense of ownership.
- It fosters intergenerational collaboration, innovation, and inclusive recreation spaces.
Recommendations:
- Involve young people from the start—ask what they want and need.
- Use co-design methods to empower rangatahi as leaders and decision-makers.
- Recognise and celebrate their contributions.
Principles for working with rangatahi
Whanaungatanga – Build relationships first.
- Partner with youth organisations.
- Invest time in genuine connections.
Manaakitanga – Make young people feel welcome.
- Keep things casual, fun, and accessible.
- Use their preferred communication channels.
Whai wāhitanga – Give youth agency.
- Let them make decisions and take responsibility.
- Provide clear roles and acknowledge their input.
Mātauranga – Share information transparently.
- Keep youth informed and involved throughout.
- Use platforms like Instagram to engage and adapt.