Research in sport and recreation

Ranked in the top 39 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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News
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Sports Web
Dion Enari
Sandra Mandic
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Sports, TV and New Zealanders
19 Sep, 2022
BBM
Mastering delivery of nutrition skills
13 Apr, 2022
Master of Sport, Exercise and Health student Olivia Malamatenios (Ngāpuhi) always aimed to work in health promotion and inspire healthier lifestyles.
Sports Web
Rural communities grow top athletes
07 Apr, 2022
Research on elite New Zealand hockey players from small-town and rural areas has produced new evidence on what can help make a top athlete.
Dion Enari
5 questions with Lefaoali’i Dion Enari
07 Apr, 2022
We asked him five questions about his research and the importance of placing sustainability at the heart of research activity.
Sandra Mandic
Distance - the key to active transport
23 Mar, 2022
Distance is the strongest determining factor for how teenagers feel about walking or cycling to school according to new research.
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Events
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SPRINZ Strength and Conditioning conference 2022
Thursday 10 Nov, 9am - Friday 11 Nov, 4:30pm
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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

Explore our research expertise

AUT's academic supervisors are recognised world-class researchers who have the expert knowledge to guide you throughout your studies.

If you’re interested in applying to a PhD or MPhil, email doctoral.and.mphil.admissions@aut.ac.nz first to assess your eligibility for the programme.

Wataru Hiramatsu
Sylvia North
Erika Ikeda
Teigan Bond
Hayden Croft
Wataru Hiramatsu
Great graduatesWataru HiramatsuHead Strength and Conditioning Coach, Japan Women’s 15 National Rugby Football Team & Strength and Conditioning Coach, Suntory Sungoliath, Tokyo, JapanComing 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.
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Sylvia North
Great graduatesSylvia NorthDietitian/Owner, Fearless NutritionDoctor of PhilosophyShe is passionate about nutrition and its significance in preventing chronic lifestyle-related diseases, says Sylvia North who is completing her PhD at AUT.She is passionate about nutrition and its significance in preventing chronic lifestyle-related diseases, says Sylvia North who is completing her PhD at AUT. Her supervisor was what attracted her to AUT for her PhD, says Sylvia who previously completed a bachelor’s and a master’s degree at another university.
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Erika Ikeda
Great graduatesErika IkedaPostdoctoral Fellow, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United KingdomDoctor of Philosophy
Master of Health Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Health ScienceShe chose AUT because of the calibre of her supervisor, says sport and recreation alumna Erika Ikeda who came to AUT as an international student from Japan.She chose AUT because of the calibre of her supervisor, says sport and recreation alumna Erika Ikeda who came to AUT as an international student from Japan. The opportunities for multidisciplinary research and collaboration are what Erika has enjoyed most about her studies at AUT. She also appreciated having access to the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) and its fantastic facilities.
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Teigan Bond
Great graduatesTeigan BondBachelor of Sport and Recreation
Master of Sport, Exercise and HealthShe feels fortunate to work closely with New Zealand Cricket for her master’s degree research, says Master of Sport, Exercise and Health student Teigan.She feels fortunate to be able to work closely with New Zealand Cricket for her master’s degree research, says Teigan Bond who is currently studying a Master of Sport, Exercise and Health, specialising in Sport Leadership and Management. Teigan says gender disparity in sport leadership is a topic she has been passionate about since she first heard about the issue as an undergraduate student.
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Hayden Croft
Great graduatesHayden Croft StudentDoctor of PhilosophyPhD student Hayden Croft, the performance analyst for the Silver Ferns, is investigating how to make performance analysis even more useful for netball teams.As the performance analyst for the Silver Ferns, Hayden Croft has a good idea what it takes to win a World Cup. For his PhD research, he is now investigating how to make performance analysis even more useful for netball teams. A particular highlight for him was being able to present his research at the World Congress for Performance Analysts in Croatia.
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