The Value of Recreational Physical Activity in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Scoping Review of Evidence and Implications for Social Value Measurement

Kerry Griffiths (), Larissa Davies, Catherine Savage, Madeline Shelling, Paul Dalziel, Elizabeth Christy and Rebecca Thorby
Additional contact information
Kerry Griffiths: Sport Industry Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S10 2BP, UK
Larissa Davies: Sport Industry Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S10 2BP, UK
Catherine Savage: Ihi Research, 518 Colombo Street, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Madeline Shelling: Ihi Research, 518 Colombo Street, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Paul Dalziel: Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit, Lincoln University, P.O. Box 85084, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand
Elizabeth Christy: Sport Industry Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S10 2BP, UK
Rebecca Thorby: Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa, P.O. Box 2251, Wellington 6140, New Zealand

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 4, 1-23

Abstract: Internationally, there is rising interest in measuring the value of sport and physical activity to society. A critical step in valuing the sector is first establishing the relationship between engagement in sport and physical activity and the societal outcomes that ensue. This paper summarises the findings of a literature review carried out as part of a larger study on the Social Return on Investment (SROI) of recreational physical activity in Aotearoa New Zealand. The review aimed to synthesise existing evidence on the relationship between recreational physical activity and wellbeing outcomes for all New Zealanders, including tangata whenua (Māori, who are Aotearoa New Zealand’s Indigenous population). The methodology took the format of a scoping review and included a series of searches for academic and grey literature, including literature concerning Māori that might have been overlooked in a traditional academic search. The findings are grouped into five outcome areas: physical health; subjective wellbeing; individual development; personal behaviour; and social and community development. The review found some compelling evidence which shows examples of the links between sport and physical activity and outcomes in each of these areas for specific population sub-groups. In particular, for Māori, the findings demonstrate a strong impact on social and community development through building social capital and enhancing cultural identity. However, in all outcome areas, there is mixed quality evidence, a small amount of evidence on which to base definitive conclusions, and limited evidence relating to the monetary value of outcomes. The review concludes that there is a need for further research to strengthen the evidence base for social impact measurement, particularly around the impact of sport and physical activity for indigenous populations.

Keywords: literature review; M?ori; indigenous populations; sport; physical activity; social outcomes; health; wellbeing; social capital (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
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