The Regional Sport Trust (RST) Network

The Regional Sports Trust (RST) Network is made up of 17 autonomous charitable trusts. Across this Network, over 600 staff and contractors work with and within communities to increase opportunities for New Zealanders to be physically active through play, active recreation and sport.

Each RST is independent, and each region has its own unique environment, communities of interest and challenges. However, all RSTs share a common passion and focus on enriching lives and well-being through physical activity. Work in this area can be challenging and complex, particularly when working with communities who are participating at lower-than-average levels.

During 2022 and early 2023, with the support of Sport NZ, the Network of RSTs committed significant time and resources to working together to further examine and consider the concept of a National RST Network along with collective commitment to a range of collaborative initiatives, including a commitment to priority communities. The business case was approved by Sport NZ in June 2023.

Ultimately, 17 RSTs are choosing to collaborate as a network to concurrently increase organisational capability and progress their bi-cultural approaches because they believe that as a result each RST will be able to better work into priority communities to lift physical activity levels of those missing out.

The RST Network whakatauki ‘Kia uru kahikatea te tū’ encapsulates this belief. It talks about standing as a grove of kahikatea and achieving success through unity of purpose.

Stronger together.

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