An Investigation into Changes to New Zealand Local Government Recreation Policies and Goals from 1987 to 2004: A case study

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Abstract
Survey research undertaken in 2004 indicates that the recreation priorities of New Zealand local government authorities have altered little since 1987 despite the introduction of new legislation focusing on servicing community groups. The 2004 survey of local government park and recreation managers replicated questions asked in 1993 and 1987. Responses to the most recent survey were consistent with the two previous studies. Survey responses indicated that the provision, construction and maintenance of facilities, along with the beautification of the environment, remain areas of greatest importance for New Zealand local authorities with respect to recreation provision. Goal priorities that specifically contained references to the planning process rated highly, but these priorities were not evident in existing local government policies relating to conducting research within the community. Policies associated with recreation counselling and programming, providing for user groups such as people who are unemployed or have a disability, and for individual growth, rated very low. These findings suggest a need to identify, and put in place, ways of quantifying demand by communities for recreation resources.

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