Active Southland

05/10/2026

Play can happen in small moments, with whatever's already around you.

Shaped by kōrero with whānau across Murihiku, Healthy Families Invercargill has created Play At Home: simple ideas using everyday household items, natural materials and a little imagination. Stack stones in a game of Tū Kōhatu, make nature chimes from treasures found outdoors, mix up homemade chalk, or try some kitchen science. It's available through Active Southland and community partners these school holidays.

"If a family tries one idea and it leads to an afternoon outdoors, a game in the backyard or some time spent together that otherwise wouldn't have happened, that's a win," says Play Innovator Megan Dawson.

📖 Read more in the comments

05/10/2026

📣 Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa funding is now open!
Got an idea that could help tamariki and rangatahi get moving? 🏃‍♀️🚴‍♂️🙌
Ruru Movement for Hauora shows what’s possible when organisations work together to create inclusive opportunities for young people to be active.
Through a partnership between Active Southland, Ruru Specialist School and Inclusive Activity Murihiku (iAM), students are experiencing different ways to move at ILT Stadium Southland, trying new activities, taking on challenges and building connections along the way. 💚
Shout out to Brian at Cycling Southland, students and staff at Ruru SIT Satellite class and acting principal Raewyn Matthys-Morris, and supporting regional sports organisations Athletics Southland, Rugby Southland, Invercargill Netball Centre Inc. and Southland Football.
🎥 Watch Ruru Movement for Hauora in action.
💡 Have an idea for your own community?
👉 Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa could help make it happen: https://tinyurl.com/mv87wvbh
Sport New Zealand

02/10/2026

It’s always great to see a school community finding different ways to be active together.
As part of its Matariki celebrations, Tokanui School brought children, whānau and the wider community together for an evening of shared kai, learning and a night-time orienteering challenge, supported by our Healthy Active Learning team.
There was plenty of fun along the way, particularly for the children who enjoyed the chance to run alongside their parents, or perhaps more importantly, try to beat them!
But the evening was about more than the orienteering. Children had the chance to share what they had been learning about Matariki, whānau spent time together at school, and families had an opportunity to connect with each other.
It’s a great example of how schools can build physical activity into occasions that already have meaning for their communities, creating opportunities for people to be active, connect and enjoy time together.
🎥 Have a watch:

As part of their 2026 Matariki celebrations, Tokanui School partner...

01/10/2026

Last chance to take part in this unique take on touch. A great opportunity to try something novel as a whānau.

01/10/2026

How we design our places can help make being active an easier part of everyday life.
Sport New Zealand has launched its new Every Body Active by Design guide, bringing together practical ideas for creating environments that support walking, wheeling, cycling, play, active recreation and sport.
There’s plenty here to consider for communities and decision-makers across Murihiku. Take a look 👇

01/10/2026

Facilities and equipment are a big investment for community organisations, but having a plan for looking after them can make a real difference.
If your club or organisation has assets to manage, this free workshop is a great opportunity to build your knowledge and start thinking further ahead 👇

Will your community facility still be serving your community in 10 years' time? 🤔

Our upcoming asset management 101 workshop is designed to help you make better decisions about the facilities and equipment your organisation depends on.

We're excited to deliver this practical workshop with Gemma O'Neil, Spaces & Places Lead at Active Southland, to help you get ahead of the challenges of asset management.

Whether you're a volunteer, committee member, manager, or trustee, you'll gain practical tools and insights to help keep your community space thriving for years to come.

📆Friday, 30 October 2026
⏰12:30 - 1:30PM
📍Community Trust South, 62 Don Street
🔗Free but registration essential https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=vJgtAMwgtEeLE1BzxPWnF2bH0TrQWsJEqrNdjgJPimNUN1FKRkM0UFlWU0pNOEowRDlOSlEyOFlXMS4u
🍽 lunch provided

27/09/2026

Have you ever made a homemade lava lamp?

Some of us in the office remember being amazed by these as children, and we still think it is just as fun as adults!

It’s pretty cool what a few everyday kitchen ingredients can create.

Over the school holidays, we’ll be sharing a few simple ideas from our Play At Home resource that you can try at home with the whānau.

We would love to hear how you get on, so feel free to comment or send us a message!

26/09/2026

Day two of the Te Waipounamu Kī-o-Rahi tournament in Waihopai with the 16s, 19s, Opens and Masters grade in action. What an awesome couple of days at Bain Park with teams from all over the South Island representing in Invercargill for the first time in a massive celebration of Kī-o-Rahi.

26/09/2026

The 16s, 19s, Open and Masters teams battled it out at Bain Park, Waihopai today. Thank you everyone for taking part!