The Government will put a further $3 million into the Active Me – Kia Tū Hardship Fund to keep it running for another 12 months.

The fund, administered by Variety – The Children’s Charity in partnership with Sport NZ, offers grants of up to $300 per child each year to help young people facing financial hardship take part in sport and recreation. Since launching in 2021 it has supported more than 10,000 children and their whānau.

“Active Me – Kia Tū has made a huge difference in the lives of thousands of children,” Sport and Recreation Minister Mark Mitchell said. “This funding extension means we can maintain momentum while more sustainable, long-term funding options are explored.”

An independent evaluation of the fund in 2024 reported benefits including stronger social skills, increased independence and confidence, and improvements in mental and physical wellbeing.

Mitchell also linked the programme to the Government’s target of reducing child and youth offending by 15%, saying it takes a primary prevention approach by addressing risk factors such as financial hardship and school disengagement and creating positive opportunities for connection and belonging.

Sport NZ is conducting further research into the affordability of sport and recreation. The findings are intended to shape future strategies to reduce costs for participants and improve efficiencies across the system, with the goal of a nationwide approach to individual hardship support.

The Government did not say how many children the extra funding is expected to reach over the next year, or when applications will open. Variety delivers the programme alongside Sport NZ.