A survey of New Zealand's Territorial Local Authorities' policies, plans and programs promoting physical activity

To investigate New Zealand's Territorial Local Authorities' (TLAs') policies and plans promoting physical activity.

Postal survey of senior planners in New Zealand's TLAs, undertaken 2004/05.

Only 59% of respondents reported that their TLA had an overall plan or policy for physical activity promotion. Most reported policies and plans for open spaces (82%), parks (95%) and recreational facilities (89%). Those for pedestrian pathways were common (70%), but cycle lanes (56%) and shared use pathways (57%) were less so. Rural TLAs and those with more deprivation were less likely to have an overall policy (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.72-0.98) or direct involvement in promotion (OR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.89-0.99).

Considerable scope exists for New Zealand's TLAs, especially those that are largely rural, low growth and with greater deprivation, to promote physical activity.

Physical activity policy development and planning should be given greater emphasis; those with more deprivation and isolation need additional resources to avoid increasing inequalities. Closer engagement between TLAs and population health agencies, transport and education sectors would accelerate progress. Policy monitoring, such as we have described, is one way of tracking such progress.