New Outdoor Recreation Investment Approach

Peter Miskimmin, Chief Executive of New Zealand sport and recreation agency SPARC has announced an extra $500,000 and a new contestable approach for SPARC's investment in outdoor recreation.

The investment links with the delivery of the outcomes set out in SPARC's Outdoor Recreation Strategy, with copies of the Strategy can be found under the publications section on SPARC website.

Miskimmin said that from July this year, there would be a $1.2 million contestable fund available for investing in outdoor recreation.

SPARC has been investing about $700,000 a year in 13 organisations involved in the outdoor recreation sector.

Miskimmin said the move to a contestable fund was recommended by the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Recreation Council (SEHORC), a group of sector experts which advises SPARC.

"A contestable approach will allow a wider range of organisations to put forward proposals," Miskimmin stated, adding "the aim of this investment approach is to achieve increasing, long-lasting participation in outdoor recreation with an initial focus on youth."

The change in approach was approved by SPARC's board last week.

Having made the recommendations to SPARC, the SEHORC will not be involved in the decision making process. This will be managed by SPARC.

The contestable process is open to any organisation that can demonstrate that they can contribute to the outdoor recreation outcomes sought. However:

• Priority will be given to applications that deliver outdoor recreation outcomes in a collaborative manner through the establishment of effective partnerships;
• Priority will be given to national and regional organisations;
• Priority will be given to organisations that do not currently receive community sport investment from SPARC; and
• For-profit organisations can only apply if they are partnering with not-for-profit organisations.

For more information contact SPARC's Deb Hurdle on 04 472 8058 ext. 3961.