Our History

Counties Manukau Sport (CMS) was founded in 1991 by the former Manukau City, Papakura District and Franklin District Councils, led by then Mayor Sir Barry Curtis. We were created to meet a clear local need: lifting participation in sport and recreation across south and east Auckland — a region rich in cultural diversity and community pride, yet facing significant social, health, education and economic challenges.

For more than 35 years, we have operated as a charitable trust and sports trust with a deep connection to the communities we serve, adapting to successive changes in government structure and strategy while keeping local needs at the centre of our work.

We work across schools, early childhood centres, clubs, marae, disability groups, Māori organisations, Local Boards and businesses to grow regional sport and physical activity. Our programmes extend beyond sport into social and economic development, funded by central government, local authorities, philanthropic organisations and national initiatives such as Find Your Field of Dreams and Primary Sport.

Serving a population of over 550,000 across multiple Local Boards, wards, electorates and communities, we place strong emphasis on collaborative partnerships with funders, Regional Sports Trusts, government agencies and community groups. We are also a respected advocate for equitable access to resources, working to ensure our communities have the opportunities that are too often overlooked.

We are proud of our enduring role in strengthening community sport and recreation — growing participation and delivering programmes that benefit individuals, families and whānau across Counties Manukau.