Women were more likely to jog or run, do pilates, yoga or calisthenics - bodyweight training. Men were more likely to play golf and touch rugby or scuba or freedive.
The survey, conducted in 2013/14 and released last year, found participation rates were changing because of several lifestyle factors.
Sport New Zealand's (SNZ) general manager of community sport Geoff Barry said participation was generally declining around the country.
Mr Barry said Kiwis were finding it difficult to fit sport and exercise into their increasingly time-poor lifestyles.
As a result, there has been a shift toward casual, flexible activities - such as going for a walk or hitting the gym - and away from club and organised sport.
"There are changes that are happening in the way people are participating - people are looking at physical activity that suits the time and cost structure they have available," Mr Barry said.
"People might be more inclined to go to a gym ... where they can do it when they want and when they have time, rather than making long-term commitments like a 16-week football or cricket season."
He said this has resulted in greater attention and investment directed to local and regional sporting trusts, and less into more traditional national sporting bodies.
It was hoped this would allow local bodies to adapt to each region's needs.
More Northlanders (89 per cent) said enjoyment was the key reason they exercised, followed by fitness and health (85 per cent).
However, 70 per cent of people said a lack of time stopped them from doing more.
Mr Barry said a particular challenge was instilling positive and healthy values in young people. He said this was becoming difficult, in part because of technology.
"How we respond to that challenge of young kids having lots of other things they can do with their time these days is a real challenge.
"What we're finding these days is young people need constant fix, they need to understand why they're doing things, and they need the experience to be really good or they get turned off quickly."
A SNZ Strategic Plan document estimated Kiwis over 12 years of age spent 80 per cent of their leisure time on passive media and social entertainment activities.
Have a hit out More than 60 per cent of adults in Northland wanted to try a new activity or do more of a current one. One commonly desired activity was golf.
Alton and Rose Tattersal had barely touched a golf club until a few years ago. Their son invited Alton out for a round.
"He was secretly giggling when he was watching me," Alton said.
But Alton was hooked. He started playing, and then convinced Rose to start playing too.
The couple - 55 and 53 years old - are now members at Northland Golf Club, and play three or four times a month during summer.
"I like the challenge and getting out in the fresh air. I actually quite like playing really early in the morning, when the birds are waking up," Mr Tattersal said.
"I exercise to de-stress, and I discovered it's something I'm now actually reasonable at, and it's something I can do for the rest of my life.
"My daughter says 'keep moving Dad', in my older age."
Mr Tattersal said they often play with their adult kids.
"It's something you can actually enjoy with the whole family, it doesn't matter how good you are, and something I can play at the drop of a hat."
