Repositioning sport as an innovation within national policy

ABSTRACT

Governments have historically assessed national well-being using metrics of economic productivity, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Although sport and physical activity can contribute to the economy, it is widely recognized that its role in society is broader than its fiscal contribution. International consultation has identified key areas where sport and physical activity can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. This aligns with the Global Action Plan for Physical Activity, which is an initiative from the World Health Organization calling on national governments to work cross-sectorally in the promotion of physical activity at the population level. New Zealand has embraced these developments in international policy and provides an ideal case study in the positioning of sport within a national government agenda. Specifically, New Zealand has led the world in developing a well-being agenda and allocated its national budget accordingly in 2019. To support this approach, the 2020–2032 Sport New Zealand Outcomes Framework was developed to outline how sport and physical activity initiatives can contribute to current and future population well-being. Critically, the Framework is a key strategic platform for integrating sport and physical activity into policy across multiple government departments and has endured through the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Mitchell McSweeney, Per G. Svensson, Lyndsay M.C. Hayhurst and Parissa Safai;individual chapters, the contributors.