24 February 2005

Institute of sport and recreation research opened

Minister for Sport and Recreation Trevor Mallard officially opened the New Zealand Institute of Sport and Recreation Research (NZISRR) at Auckland University of Technology’s Akoranga campus today.

“Encouraging performance and participation is as much a science as an art, and we’re enthusiastic about organisations such as AUT developing specialist sport and recreation research institutes,” Trevor Mallard said.

The Institute aims to make a difference to the community through international level applied sport science, and physical activity and health research.

"This government has a well-developed policy on building a more active and healthy society through encouraging sport and recreation. This Institute will increasingly play an important part in achieving that goal.

“The work of NZISRR, and that of other sports research institutes around the country, is already helping us work toward achieving these objectives of being the most active nation, and winning in sports that matter to New Zealanders.

“By working together, these organisations will provide robust evidence-based research that is required in order for us to understand the issues facing the sector and provide the necessary solutions.”

Trevor Mallard also encouraged wider international collaboration saying that many nations were grappling with similar issues in terms of the relationship between health and wellbeing, and sport and recreation.

“There is an increasing treasure chest of evidence-based research being developed, and one of our researchers’ vital tasks is to tap into it, and contribute to it, for the benefit of all New Zealanders.”

ENDS

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