ACC Move Smart

ACC Move Smart helps New Zealanders move well and reduce injury — no matter how they choose to move. 

Whether people play sport, train, walk, run, dance, paddle, bike, or get active with whānau and friends, ACC Move Smart offers simple, trusted guidance to help them stay active for longer. 

On this page

    SportSmart is becoming ACC Move Smart. It builds on what SportSmart has done well, with a simpler, more inclusive approach to helping New Zealanders move well and reduce injury. 

    Where SportSmart focused mainly on organised team sports, ACC Move Smart is for all the ways people move — from structured sport to social sport sport, fitness, and active recreation

    About ACC Move Smart

    Who is it for?

    ACC Move Smart is for anyone who moves — and for the people and organisations who help others take part. That includes participants, whānau, coaches, workplaces, clubs, community groups, and sport and active recreation organisations. 

    How does it help and what are the benefits?

    ACC Move Smart brings together simple, evidence-based ways to help people prepare well, move with confidence, recover well, and lower their risk of injury. The focus is on practical habits that fit real life and help people keep doing what they enjoy. 

    • Move well and feel confident 
    • Reduce the risk of injury 
    • Build simple habits that support performance and recovery 
    • Stay active for longer, at any level

    Principles 

    ACC Move Smart is built around five simple areas that help people move well and stay active. 

    Injury Insight

    Know your risks. Understand common injuries and how to help prevent them. 

    TechFit

    Move well. Build strength, balance, technique, and good movement habits. 

    GearUp

    Use the right gear. Make sure equipment and conditions support safe participation.

    Athlete Check

    Personalise and adjust training in response to stress, fatigue, and life stage. 

    Body Fuel

    Fuel and recover. Support your body with food, hydration, rest, and recovery. 

    Learn more about the principles

    For more detailed guidance, the ACC Move Smart Principles resource provides more information, examples, and evidence for each principle. 

    Download the ACC Move Smart Principles resource

    Partnerships in the community

    We work with partners across sport and active recreation to bring ACC Move Smart to life in ways that make sense for different activities, communities, and settings. 

    We have partnerships with: 

    Improving performance on and off the field, including tackling technique, nutrition, hydration, and injuries, including concussion. Visit RugbySmart website,

    Preparing players for the demand of the game. Focusing on warming up and what it takes to prepare well for sport. Visit NetballSmart website.

     

    Covers warm up, conditioning, game day technique and injury management. Increasing performance to get the most out of the game. Visit LeagueSmart website.

    Providing you with what you need to best prepare, perform, and recover whilst managing injury and load effectively. Visit New Zealand Football website.

    A sport performance and body and mind preservation framework. Advice on improving performance and reducing injury. Visit TouchFit 360 website.

    On Point is an evolution of the basketball culture. It puts preparation, performance, and wellbeing at the heart of how we play. Visit Basketball NZ website.

    We encourage everyone to apply the ACC Move Smart principles to their individual pursuits, to ensure they get the most from their sport and active recreation and stay injury-free. 

    Concussion in sport and active recreation 

    Concussion is a brain injury, and it can happen in many different activities. You do not have to be knocked out or hit directly on the head to have a concussion.

    Learn to recognise the signs of concussion and what to do

    Contact us

    If you have questions about ACC Move Smart, get in touch with us by email. 

    Email sportsmart@acc.co.nz

    Last published: 9 November 2026

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