For 40 years, we’ve been helping people across the greater Waikato region discover the power, benefit and impact movement plays in a person's life.

In 1986, John Parker, Paul Fear and Brian Perry had the foresight to recognise that movement is fundamental to our physical and mental wellbeing, and to the strength of our communities.

In those early years, our focus was on strengthening the foundations of the regional sport system. We worked alongside clubs, schools and volunteers to develop coaches, support administrators and help local organisations grow.

From the beginning, we were also looking for new ways to encourage participation in physical activity across all stages of life.

In 1990, under John's leadership we launched KiwiBaby, an innovative programme designed to support movement development from birth. Distributed to new parents through maternity services, the KiwiBaby manual encouraged parents to introduce active play and early movement as part of everyday life. This was followed by KiwiToddler and KiwiPreschooler resources, helping families support movement development through the early childhood years.

Around the same time, we introduced KiwiDEX (Developing Experience), a programme designed to give primary school children the opportunity to try a wide range of sports. The aim was to help young people develop fundamental movement skills and discover activities they enjoyed before specialising too early. 

These early programmes reflected a philosophy that continues to guide our work today, helping people to help themselves.

Over the years, our work has evolved alongside the needs of our communities. We have supported national initiatives such as Push Play, Green Prescription and KiwiSport, strengthened youth sport through Balance is Better, and partnered with schools through a significant collaboration with Waikato DHB and the nationally recognised Project Energize programme. In recent years, this has transitioned into Healthy Active Learning, helping to create environments where tamariki can build positive relationships with movement. We have also been fortunate in this region to work alongside health agencies that recognise the vital link between movement and long-term health outcomes, enabling a more connected and impactful approach to wellbeing.

More recently, initiatives like the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa fund have played an important role in breaking down barriers, ensuring more young people can access quality, inclusive physical activity opportunities within their communities.

Throughout this journey, we’ve been supported by a wide network of partners and funders who share our belief in the power of movement. In particular, we acknowledge the ongoing support of New Zealand’s national sport and recreation agency, from the Hillary Commission to SPARC and now Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa, who have been alongside us every step of the way. We also recognise the contribution of key partners including the Perry Foundation, Trust Waikato, local councils, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Gallagher, and the many others who have walked alongside us over the past 40 years, enabling us to continue making a difference in our communities.

Today, our focus extends beyond organised sport, supporting healthier, more connected communities across the greater Waikato.

As communities continue to change, we will keep evolving, creating new ways for people to move, play and be active for life.