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The government is investing $2.4 million across six community programmes using sport and physical activity to support children and young people who may be at risk of offending or reoffending.
Minister of Sport and Recreation Mark Mitchell says the investment is in addition to the initial $2.2 million provided to five community organisations across New Zealand, announced in June 2026.
The Reducing Child and Youth Offending project is a Sport NZ-led initiative focused on advocating the value of physical activity to young people and contributes to the government’s target to reduce youth offending by 2030,
says Mitchell.
“It is about backing community led solutions and giving young people positive pathways which help prevent them from entering or re-entering the youth justice system,” he says.
The project will work alongside whanau, communities and government partners such as NZ Police, Department of Corrections, and Oranga Tamariki, to strengthen positive opportunities and reduce harm over time, Mitchell says.
“We are investing in trusted community organisations with proven capability and strong local connections to support children and young people through the positive vehicle of physical activity and sport,” he says.
The $8 million total funding will be delivered across four waves through Community Impact Investment.
