Interested to know more about New Zealanders’ attitudes and behaviours in relation to exercise? We’ve included a summary below from our latest Healthy Futures research.

Focus on fitness

The majority of New Zealanders feel they are not getting enough exercise, with the average person exercising for 30 minutes, three times a week. This is an ongoing trend from previous years.

New Zealanders prioritised exercise in the past six months and a third considered setting health / fitness goals. The number of people exercising with a pet has decreased, perhaps reflecting a drop in pet ownership since 2022.

Hurdles to keeping active

Tiredness and a lack of time and motivation continue to be the main barriers to exercising - particularly for those living with young children. Cost is increasingly a reason why people aren’t exercising.