Asian Voices: Why are Asian-Kiwis less active in sports in New Zealand?

Sports often act as a unifying factor for many Kiwis, bridging gaps through the spirit of competition and fellowship. Yet, research from Sports New Zealand in collaboration with the University of Waikato suggests that this sentiment might not be universally shared, especially among Asian-New Zealanders.

The research highlighted a tangible disparity in engagement levels in physical activities between Asian and non-Asian individuals.

For instance, non-Asian children aged 5 to 17 are active in sports for over 11 hours a week, whereas Asian children dedicate only about 7 hours.

This disparity grows with age, as adult Asians average only four hours of exercise each week, compared to non-Asians.

Participation based on average hours per week. Image: Sports NZ.

It’s not just about the hours; the nature of sports and activities chosen by these groups differs markedly as well. Asians in New Zealand tend to gravitate towards non-competitive recreational activities.

Walking, workouts, jogging, swimming, group fitness classes, dance, and badminton are among the top choices for Asians. This preference for recreational over competitive sports was further confirmed by a survey conducted by Active NZ.

The driving force behind the Asian community’s engagement in sports is primarily social apart from physical health benefits and wellbeing. For them, it’s a chance to bond, to forge connections with friends, and integrate into the broader community.

Challenges many Asians faced in sports and recreation in NZ

As many Asians participate in physical activities for social reasons, feeling otherwise is a major turn off for them. Unfortunately, New Zealand's sports culture, with its competitive undertones, can sometimes come across as "intimidating."

Based on the report, many Asians have expressed they feel 'out of place' or 'unwelcome' in various sports clubs and programmes.

One participant in the study alluded her discomfort with the structure of sports leagues in the country: "It’s a bit competitive for me. I just want to come in, play a game and have no expectations that I have to show up next week because maybe I have some events to go to. But we’re just here to have a good hour and a half, two hours together in the sport. I don’t need that league aspect, even if it’s a friendly thing, I’m just here for the game," she said.

Additionally, many are hesitant to try new sports, especially popular Kiwi-sports like rugby and netball, primarily because they are unfamiliar with these games.

Still, this reluctance from the Asian ethnic group is not solely based on unfamiliarity or perceived competitiveness. Sadly, the darker aspects of racism and deep-seated stereotypes have created significant barriers.

Instances of racism were heightened amid and post COVID-19 pandemic, making Asians, especially women, think twice before exercising in public spaces.

ActiveAsian's Football initiative, where many Asian youth playing the sport for the first time and enjoying it. Image: Alvin Cheung

 The findings were not surprising to Alvin Cheung, development manager of Harbour Sport ActiveAsian, an organisation that assists Asian communities in North Harbour to immerse themselves through recreation and sports.

Cheung stressed in an interview with Asia Media Centre that the report highlighted factors that organisations and policymakers can address in connecting with the country's growing Asian population.

He said, “It doesn’t come as a surprise to myself and my team from the regional ActiveAsian initiative, given that’s what we’ve been doing and trying to tackle in the last few years. What it does though, and I believe wholeheartedly, it highlights a greater level of diversity within diversity of the Asian population.”

“A lot of people often refer the Asian population as one singular term, but if you look up the makeup of the Asian continent and the Asian cultures that we experience here in Aotearoa – it’s actually far greater than that.”

“So, what was fantastic for us to see, is that people really working on the ground was the diverse viewpoints and diverse experiences that we highlighted in the qualitative side of things.”

“We all know that one-size-fits-all doesn’t work. And when it comes to such a complicated, unique set of cultures and experiences here, we cannot just afford to do the same thing over and over again. Hopefully, the report will act as a reminder in highlighting the support that the community requires.”

Alvin Cheung, Harbour Sports' Active Asian Development Manager. Image: Alvin Cheung's socmed post.

At the tender age of 15, Cheung immigrated to New Zealand from Hong Kong. He experienced prejudice, just like a lot of other Asians, which led him to harbour resentment towards his own race.

But sports changed his life.

“I used to hate the fact that I am an Asian, that I am a Chinese, just purely because of how the system were setup and I, personally, had my fair share of discrimination and racism against me, I didn’t feel like I belonged,” Cheung said.

“The power of sports really allowed me to fit in, allowed myself to shine, now I’m in a position where I can do the same thing to other people and really empowering them to put themselves out there and encouraging those in the system that are working in the space to provide the same opportunities that people have once shown me,” he continued.

Based on his personal experience and what they observed on the ground, Cheung pointed out that the traditional sports system in New Zealand does not accommodate the unique needs of many Asian groups. That is why, in their organisation, they focused on community building, empowerment, and leadership development among their members.

How they do it? He explained, “It’s by working alongside them, we don’t want to come from a position where we are talking down to them, we don’t instruct them of what to do. So, we focus a lot of our resources on building community leaders’ capabilities, so they can connect with wider community groups.”

Similar recommendations were made by sports facilitators and participants in the study to encourage Asian communities to engage in physical activities.

Increasing the number of 'free trial' sessions or open days that clubs offer to entice new members, increasing the representation of Asian staff within sports and active recreation organisations, and improving information accessibility through the provision of materials in multiple languages are a few examples.

Why Asian population groups participation is important?

The Asian population in New Zealand is undeniably growing. As a result, a proactive approach is required to support the growing demographic and motivate them to participate in sports and recreation on a larger scale. Cheung hopes that the new government will increase support and develop policies catered to their needs.

Organisations such as Sport New Zealand and the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono serve as catalysts for this.

He underlined, “Asians are not a minority group anymore and would become a majority group in the near future... With the new government in place now, what we really hoping to do is, through insights and evaluations like this, that we’re able to be on the table, where the policymakers are present, and really be able to voice our case to them.”

Cheung asserts that no single organisation can achieve this on its own, and just like in sports, it calls for a teamwork.

While New Zealand holds its sports culture in high regard, the recent study underscores the need for greater inclusivity. The path forward necessitates shared understanding, respect, and a unified commitment from all stakeholders.

Check Sport NZ website to download the full research. 

-Asia Media Centre