Women were more likely to do pilates, yoga, aerobics, dance or bodyweight training, while men were more likely to play golf, hunt, tramp or surf.
The survey, conducted in 2013/14 and released last year, found the nature of participation was changing due to a number of 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.
Most Bay residents (70 per cent) said they were interested in doing more of a sport or an activity, but most people said they couldn't due to a lack of time.
Mr Barry said a particular challenge was instilling positive and healthy values in young people. He said this was becoming difficult, in part due to 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 more than 12 years of age spent 80 per cent of their leisure time on passive media and social entertainment activities.
Have a hit-out
Almost 70 per cent of adults in the region wanted to try a new activity or do more of a current one. One commonly desired activity was golf.
Darren Gerretzen played golf in high school, but gave up for the better part of a decade while he was studying and living overseas.
Since returning, the 26-year-old data analyst has become a member at Rotorua Golf Club.
He loves sport's all-around nature.
"It's a nice way to pass the time and to spend time with friends, to socialise with people.
"It's a great sport that requires focus. It's a mental game, and it's a very rewarding sport," Mr Gerretzen said.
He said, despite a range of abilities out on the course, the handicap system - a scoring system allowing players of all skill ranges to compete somewhat equally - makes the game inclusive.
"Give it a go.
"I know it can be frustrating starting, but once you start seeing improvements, it can be incredibly rewarding.
"There are so many other aspects to the sport; the club atmosphere, the socialising, and getting outdoors, that it's a really good thing you can get into."
