Research in sport and recreation

Ranked in the top 27 in the world, AUT is globally known for its leading sport and exercise science research. Our research covers sport and activity-related areas, as well as performance, nutrition, coaching and human potential.

We're proud to be the home of New Zealand's top sport and fitness facility, AUT Millennium, and the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) is New Zealand’s number one sports research institute.

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AUT Millennium

Our researchers work on key national projects at AUT Millennium, our world-class sports training and research facility in Mairangi Bay.

AUT Millennium website

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AUT academics are known for their expertise in a wide range of areas. Learn more about researchers in your area of interest and find a supervisor.

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John Cronin
Erica Hinckson
Grant Schofield
John Cronin
Our academics John Cronin Professor of Strength and Conditioning Research in high performance sport is a key focus for Professor John Cronin who has worked with some of the world’s top athletes, and believes that being an academic is all about people. Research in high performance sport is a key focus for Professor John Cronin who currently supervises a number of postgraduate students from New Zealand and overseas. Former discus world champion Beatrice Faumuina, New Zealand Cricket and the Silver Ferns have all benefited from Professor Cronin’s strength and conditioning expertise.
Erica Hinckson
Our academics Erica Hinckson Professor of Physical Activity and the Environment Progressing research that benefits people and communities has been an overriding theme of Professor Erica Hinckson’s career. Progressing research that benefits people and communities has been an overriding theme of Professor Erica Hinckson’s career, with a focus on reducing the prevalence of physical inactivity. A highly successful former athlete, she has earned a place on the University of California San Diego’s Hall of Fame in recognition of her exceptional contribution to UCSD Athletics.
Grant Schofield
Our academics Grant Schofield Professor of Public Health Professor Grant Schofield is an authority on wellbeing and chronic disease prevention, especially related to reducing the risk from factors like obesity. Professor Grant Schofield is internationally known as an authority on wellbeing and chronic disease prevention, especially related to reducing the risk from obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In addition to being professor of public health, Professor Schofield is director of the Human Potential Centre.
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News
Professor Jarrod Haar, Professor Patria Hume, Professor Denise Wilson
Girls playing netball
Associate Professor Andrew Gibbons standing in a classroom.
Research funding story
Patria Hume
News pattern
Professor Jarrod Haar, Professor Patria Hume, Professor Denise Wilson
New Royal Society Te Apārangi Fellows
16 Mar, 2021
Three AUT academics have been elected as Fellows to the Academy of the Royal Society Te Apārangi.
Girls playing netball
Sport clubs face COVID financial pain
09 Oct, 2020
Sports clubs connected to NZ’s most traditional codes report being “hit hard” by the impact of COVID-19 according to the 2020 National Sport Club Survey.
Associate Professor Andrew Gibbons standing in a classroom.
ECE positive for social outcomes
23 Sep, 2020
New research has found that children who attend ECE have fewer emotional difficulties and better peer relations, but are more prone to common illnesses.
Research funding story
Enhancing urban regeneration
15 Sep, 2020
A research team has secured $7.95m to quantify the societal impact of major urban regeneration projects currently taking place across the country.
Patria Hume
The lasting impacts of rugby injuries
17 Jul, 2020
A UK study of former rugby players shows they continue to suffer a high ‘injury load’ after retirement from the sport.
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Wataru Hiramatsu
Chloe McKenzie
Mel Johnston
Lesley Sommerfield
Erin Feser
Wataru Hiramatsu
Great graduatesWataru HiramatsuHead Strength and Conditioning Coach, Japan Women’s 15 National Rugby Football Team & Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach, Suntory Sungoliath, Tokyo, JapanMaster of Sport and ExerciseComing to AUT for postgraduate study was an easy decision, says Wataru Hiramatsu who works with Japan’s top rugby teams as a strength and conditioning coach.Coming to AUT for postgraduate study was an easy decision, says Wataru Hiramatsu who is now working with Japan Women’s 15 National Rugby Football Team and Suntory Sungoliath as a strength and conditioning coach. Being able to learn from experts in his field was one of the highlights of his studies, Wataru says.
Chloe McKenzie
Great graduatesChloe McKenzieStrength and Conditioning Coach, High Performance Sport New Zealand / Owner, Next Level NetballDoctor of Philosophy
Master of Sport and Exercise
Postgraduate Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science
Bachelor of Sport and RecreationHelping athletes achieve their goals is what she loves most about being a strength and conditioning coach, says sport and recreation alumna Chloe McKenzie.Helping athletes achieve their goals is what she loves most about her career as a strength and conditioning coach, says sport and recreation alumna Chloe McKenzie. She has always had a love for sport, says Chloe whose passion for sport and recreation saw her take on study from undergraduate level all the way up to a PhD.
Mel Johnston
Great graduatesMel JohnstonLecturer, School of Sport and RecreationDoctor of PhilosophyHer fascination with major sport events started at a very young age, says Mel Johnston who has just completed a Doctor of Philosophy exploring this topic.Her fascination with major sport events started at a very young age, says Mel Johnston who has just completed a PhD exploring this topic and will be graduating this August. Mel’s doctoral research was supervised by Dr Michael Naylor from AUT’s School of Sport and Recreation, and Associate Professor Geoff Dickson, a former AUT academic who is now at La Trobe University in Melbourne.
Lesley Sommerfield
Great graduatesLesley SommerfieldStudentDoctor of PhilosophyA visit to Auckland confirmed that AUT was the right place for her to complete her PhD in sport, says Lesley Sommerfield who came to AUT from the USA.A visit to Auckland confirmed that AUT was the right place for her to complete her PhD in sport and recreation, says Lesley Sommerfield who came to AUT as an international student from the USA. For her PhD research, Lesley developed an injury prevention programme which she then implemented into the PE curriculum in a girls’ secondary school, aiming to reduce injury risk factors and improve athletic performance.
Erin Feser
Great graduatesErin FeserStudentDoctor of PhilosophyA PhD was the natural next step for her, says Erin Feser who enrolled at AUT as an international student from the USA and expects to complete her PhD in 2021.A PhD was the natural next step for her, says Erin Feser who enrolled at AUT as an international student from the USA and expects to complete her Doctor of Philosophy in 2021. For her PhD research, Erin is focusing on wearable technology and its effect on training for sprint running. She has been impressed by the care and the calibre of AUT’s sport and recreation staff.
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