Other Westernstyle nations are reporting reduced participation in sport and recreation.
The key results of Sparc's Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity survey, released yesterday, reveal a large majority of the NZ population still engaged in sport and recreation.
The latest research shows no drop in overall participation since a comparable 2001 survey.
The survey found on any given week 80% of New Zealanders aged 16 and older - 2.6 million people - participated in sport and recreation.
Sport Otago chief executive John Brimble said the survey "dispelled the myth that people were moving away from an active lifestyle".
Almost half of the adult population (48.2%) met the minimum recommended physical activity guidelines of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on at least five days a week.
A further 20% were close to meeting that target.
Sparc chief executive Peter Miskimmin said "sport and recreation is as important to New Zealanders as it's ever been, despite perceptions that we were becoming a nation of couch potatoes".
The New Zealand Academy of Sport (South Island) chief executive Kereyn Smith said participation levels of New Zealanders were going against world trends.
"This is great for New Zealand's elite sport," she said.
"Because of our smaller population we need to have a greater percentage of the population active to find and create champions.
"We have to keep encouraging a larger base of active people so that the cream will rise to the top."
The report showed that the top activities participated in were walking, gardening, swimming, equipment-based exercises and cycling.
"None of these activities require people to be members of clubs," Brimble said.
"It is self-regulated and can be fitted into a busy lifestyle."
Dancing, which was popularised through the television series Dancing with the Stars, ranked eighth.
"This is a new trend we have found in Dunedin because church halls and gymnasiums are booked out most nights of the week," Brimble said. The survey showed that 25.3% of the adult population were volunteers for sport and recreation as a coach, teacher, parent helper, referee or umpire, administrator and committee member.
"Volunteers peak between the ages of 34 and 49 and this coincides with parents being involved with their children's sport," Brimble said.
"The challenge for sport and recreation is to encourage the parents to stay with the sports once their children have moved on."
Clubs and centres play a major role in sport and recreation participation.
Each month one third of adults utilise clubs and centres and 37% of adults are involved in events and organised competition.
Sparc research manager Grant McLean said the survey would provide a benchmark for the future.
"The survey results confirm that sport and recreation remains fundamental to the NZ way of life and there is a great potential for more New Zealanders to participate and be active."
The survey was completed over a year from March 2007 and involved 4443 face-to-face interviews.
The specific breakdown for the Otago region will be released next month.
