Kiwis spend almost 100 hours a week on a digital device or watching television - and a new initiative launched this month seeks to help change that.
New Zealand social adventure group Got to Get Out and outdoor sports retailer Torpedo7 have announced a partnership aiming to get people off their devices and into the outdoors.
Beginning this month, the retailer's Torpedo7 Club is offering 100 free nationwide outdoor experiences with Got to Get Out. The club wants to bring like-minded adventure seekers together to have some fun, get active and see what their natural surroundings have to offer, Torpedo 7 chief executive Tim Edwards says.
"Hiking, mountain biking and paddle boarding are just the start of what we're offering," he says. "Skiing and snowboarding trips will also be available."
The initiative comes as research, conducted in 2017, shows New Zealanders are spending an increasing amount of time on devices. Data from research company IDC reveals Kiwis are spending up to 56 hours a week on a device while research carried out in 2016 by market researchers Neilsen shows they also spend up to 23 hours week watching TV.
But New Zealand's obesity crisis is also something Got to Get Out is trying to combat.
Ministry of Health statistics show a third of all adults (aged 15 and over) and one in ten children are considered obese while an estimated 636,000 adults are diagnosed with a mood and/or anxiety disorder in New Zealand.
Edwards says Torpedo 7 stores will host informative and inspiring workshops, which are designed to upskill and bring together people who enjoy the outdoors but don't necessarily have the knowledge or the connections to get out on their own.
Got to Get Out was founded in 2014 by New Zealand social entrepreneur Robert Bruce while he was hiking Mt Everest Base Camp. On the hike, Bruce realised his calling was to mobilise people to get outdoors and as a result, the social enterprise Got to Get Out was created.
"It started as a dream to get New Zealanders off the couch and get them moving, with a view to help improve the country's physical and mental health statistics. I think most people acknowledge that getting outdoors is good for their wellbeing, but arranging the trips, especially as a first timer can be daunting, so that's where Got To Get Out comes in," says Bruce.
Bruce says he is thrilled to partner with Torpedo7 Club, because it is a company that shares his commitment to helping New Zealand get active.
Part of The Warehouse Group, Torpedo7 Group has 18 stores nationwide, plus online retailers like 1-Day.
"We live and breathe outdoor sports, and we're passionate about helping our customers do the same," says Edwards. "Bringing experiences to Torpedo7 Club members is a natural and exciting extension for the brand and as Torpedo7 opens more stores throughout New Zealand, we want to encourage more New Zealanders to get out there and see what our beautiful country has to offer."
The hosted events will be available to access via the Torpedo7 Club (previously known as the Over and Above Club). In addition to these experiences, the club has offers and free delivery options for members.
Click here to find an event near you.