Source: Exercise New Zealand
5 August 2026
“We already know physical inactivity is costing our country billions of dollars every year and placing enormous pressure on our health system.”
“The question is no longer whether we have a problem, it’s what we’re prepared to do about it.”
“We need action, not awareness.”
“These recommendations aren’t about politics, they’re about better health, lower healthcare costs, stronger communities and a more productive economy”
Exercise New Zealand has released the country’s first comprehensive White Paper on physical activity, calling on all political parties to unite behind practical reforms that will improve New Zealanders’ health while reducing pressure on the health system and economy. This first-of-its-kind national White Paper outlines practical reforms to improve health, reduce costs and increase productivity, with evidenced based data.
The White Paper comes as New Zealand continues to face declining physical activity levels, with fewer than half of adults meeting recommended activity guidelines. Physical inactivity now costs the public health system more than $600 million every year, while wider productivity losses exceed $2.3 billion annually.
Rather than focusing on raising awareness, the White Paper argues that New Zealanders already understand the benefits of exercise. The challenge is creating policies that make it easier for people to be active throughout their lives.
The paper proposes four practical, low-cost policy recommendations that can be implemented using existing infrastructure and workforce capability:
- Make registration of exercise professionals mandatory through REPs.
- Integrate registered exercise professionals into ACC rehabilitation pathways.
- Remove Fringe Benefit Tax on employer-supported physical activity.
- Introduce one hour of quality physical activity every school day.
Exercise New Zealand Chief Executive Richard Beddie says the White Paper is intended to move the national conversation beyond identifying the problem.
“This is the first White Paper in New Zealand focused entirely on physical activity and prevention. We already know physical inactivity is costing our country billions of dollars every year and placing enormous pressure on our health system. The question is no longer whether we have a problem, it’s what we’re prepared to do about it.”
Beddie says the recommendations are deliberately practical, affordable and achievable.
“We need action, not awareness. New Zealanders already know exercise is good for them. What we need now are policies that make being active easier, support prevention, and recognise exercise as an essential part of improving our nation’s health.”
Exercise New Zealand is calling on all political parties to support the recommendations ahead of the 2026 General Election, saying physical activity should be treated as a long-term national investment rather than a partisan issue.
“These recommendations aren’t about politics, they’re about better health, lower healthcare costs, stronger communities and a more productive economy. We encourage every political party to consider how they can support these practical reforms.”
The White Paper concludes that New Zealand cannot continue treating its way out of a prevention problem, and that modest policy changes now will deliver significant long-term health and economic benefits.