Skip to main content
  • Corporate
    • Corporate
    • Adviser
    • Get Advice
    • Home Loans
    • Contact Us
    • MyAIA
  • Search
  • Home
  • AIA Insurance
    • Life Insurance
    • Health Insurance
    • Trauma Insurance
    • Total Permanent Disablement Insurance
    • Income Protection Insurance
    • AIA Starter Plans
    • Business Insurance
    • Rural Insurance
  • AIA Vitality
    • What is AIA Vitality
    • Apple Watch Benefit
    • Our Partners & Rewards
    • Content Hub
    • Already a member? Login
    • AIA Vitality Starter
  • Make a Claim
    • Health Claims
    • Life, Disability, & Critical Conditions (Trauma) Claims
  • About AIA
    • Our Leadership Team
    • Careers
    • Media Centre
    • AIA Thrive
    • Sustainability
    • Code of Conduct​ & Procedures
    • All our locations
    • Becoming an Adviser with AIA New Zealand
  • Help & Support
    • My AIA
    • Update your contact details
    • Contact AIA
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Product Enhancements and Policy Wordings
    • Consumers Price Index (CPI)
    • Vulnerable Customers Support
    • Investment Products
    • Complaints
  • Get Advice
  • Make a claim
  • Home Loans
  • MyAIA
Menu
  • Corporate
  • Adviser
  • Get Advice
  • Home Loans
  • Contact Us
  • MyAIA
AIA New Zealand AIA New Zealand
  • AIA Insurance

    Our insurance products

    The most important things in your life are your family, your lifestyle and your future. This is what life, trauma and disability insurance are there to protect.

    For Individuals

    For Business

    • Life Insurance

      Provides a lump sum payment if you were to pass away or are diagnosed with a terminal illness.

    • Health Insurance

      Explore our health insurance options; choose private health cover or specialised cancer insurance.

    • Trauma Insurance

      Financial support if you or your child become seriously ill or injured.

    • Total Permanent Disablement Insurance

      Provides a lump sum payment if you become permanently disabled and are unable to work due to accident or injury.

    • Income Protection Insurance

      Monthly payment to replace a portion of your income if you are unable to work due to sickness or injury.

    • AIA Starter Plans

      Simple plans you can buy online. Get protected with basic life, rent or mortgage protection.

    • Business Insurance

      Protection for new and existing business owners if a key person becomes seriously ill, is injured, or dies.

    • Rural Insurance

      Financial support if a key person of your farm becomes seriously ill, injured or passes away.

  • AIA Vitality

    AIA Vitality

    AIA Vitality encourages and supports you to live a healthier life, while giving you access to great rewards along the way.

    • What is AIA Vitality

      AIA Vitality’s approach can take you on a journey to better health

    • Apple Watch Benefit

      Earn an Apple Watch Series 9 by reaching your weekly physical activity targets

    • Our Partners & Rewards

      Learn more about the amazing partners and rewards you'll have access to with AIA Vitality

    • Content Hub

      Your go to for science-backed, health and wellbeing inspiration and advice.

    • Already a member? Login

      Check your AIA Vitality points status and get access to the tools you need to help improve your health

    • AIA Vitality Starter

      Entry level membership automatically included with all AIA Starter Plans.

  • Make a Claim

    Make a Claim

    • Health Claims

      Make a health insurance claim.

    • Life, Disability, & Critical Conditions (Trauma) Claims

      Make a Life, Disability, or Critical Conditions (Trauma) Claim.

  • About AIA

    About AIA

    AIA Group is one of the largest life insurers in the world, with a presence in 18 markets across Asia Pacific. AIA New Zealand Limited is part of the AIA Group and has been providing insurance to New Zealanders since 1981.

    AIA New Zealand
    • Our Leadership Team

      Get to know our Board of Directors and Executive Team

    • Careers

      Explore opportunities to work at AIA

    • Media Centre

      The latest news from AIA New Zealand

    • AIA Thrive

      AIA Thrive is a network of qualified, experienced advisers helping New Zealanders plan well, so they can live well.

    • Sustainability

      AIA NZ is committed helping build a healthier, cleaner and more sustainable Aotearoa NZ.

    • Code of Conduct​ & Procedures

      AIA is committed to continuously improving conduct, culture and customer outcomes.

    • All our locations

      Details of all our office locations across New Zealand

    • Becoming an Adviser with AIA New Zealand

      All you need to know about applying to distribute our products.

  • Help & Support

    Help & Support

    We're here to help! Check out our quick links and digital tools. Still have a question? Get in touch via Live Chat.

    Contact AIA

    Quick Links

    Understanding your policy

    Other useful information

    • My AIA

      View, claim and update your insurance with MyAIA.

    • Update your contact details

      Use this form to update your phone number, email and postal address if you don’t have access to MyAIA.

    • Contact AIA

      Have a question? We’re here to help. Phone, send us a message, or Live Chat during business hours.

    • Frequently asked questions

      Updating policies, moving house, changing names, Covid-19 support... our FAQs section has all the answers and forms.

    • Product Enhancements and Policy Wordings

      Product enhancements and policy wordings for current and closed AIA or Sovereign policies.

    • Consumers Price Index (CPI)

      Find out more about CPI indexation and how it may affect your insurance cover.

    • Vulnerable Customers Support

      A list of some of the services available in New Zealand that offer support, information and help.

    • Investment Products

      The latest AIA investment performance information, as well as a list of closed and terminated investment products.

    • Complaints

      If you have a complaint, we’ll do our best to resolve the situation.

  • Search
  • Contact Us
    • Chat with us

      Available Mon-Fri, 8am to 6pm

    • Call Us

      0800 500 108 on Mon-Fri, 8am to 6pm

    • Send us a message

      via our online contact form

    • Talk to an adviser

      Get free expert insurance advice

    • Log in to MyAIA

      View, claim and update your insurance

Move Well
Prev | Next
Contact Us
Talk to an Adviser
Back to Top
  • {{title}}

    {{label}}
  • Back to basics: How to start (and enjoy) a new sport at any age

    AIA Vitality NZ - 5 min read

    02 March 2022

    Better Lives with AIA VitalityBetter Lives with AIA Vitality
    • Exercise
    • Mates
    • Mental Wellbeing

    Picking up a new sport later in life may seem intimidating, but the reality is it’s easier than you think. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club’s Senior International Football Development Manager Anton Blackwood explains why.  

    AIA Vitality | Person in activewear ties their laces | How to start (and enjoy) a new sport at any age

    At Tottenham Hotspur Football Club – a Global Principal Partner of AIA – we have a saying: ‘To dare is to do’, which doubles as a great life motto. To take risks and be bold is something we should apply to many things in life, including picking up a new sport as an adult. 

    Benefits of sport

    There are a plethora of mental and social benefits that come with playing sport – especially team games.

    One of the key skills you’ll hone is teamwork, which is vitally important in almost any professional environment. Take football for example – everyone has a different role to play in the match, and you must be able to trust your teammates (and vice versa) to win.

    These soft skills in trust and relationship building will make you more well-rounded, more social and you’ll be able to go further at work. Plus, having a recreational sport as a hobby will keep you fit, your mind active and will tick many boxes for your overall wellbeing.

    How to start

    Start slow and gradually increase your sessions. If you’re taking up a brand new sport, start by playing two times a week. Remember not to work too hard at the start to avoid injury, which will set you back (and maybe even put you off entirely).

    Don’t be afraid to focus on the basics first. Recognise you won’t have the same skillset as someone that’s been playing the sport for 20 years.

    Common barriers

    When I speak to people about why they avoid trying a sport later in life, I often hear similar responses. The first one would be not knowing what sport to try. For something to really take root with you, it must be fun.

    If you don’t like football, try basketball, hockey, tennis, netball or rock climbing. There’s always going to be something out there for you. Try as many sports as possible to find out what works; what keeps you motivated to stay active.

    Another common reason is people giving up before getting better. If someone succeeds in their career, it’s through dedication and hard work. If they apply the same habits to a new sport, they’ll eventually get better. Sometimes progress can’t be measured just from day-to-day observation. If I currently can’t make a five-yard pass in football, I know I’ll eventually be able to make it with time and training.

    Finally, don’t compare yourself to other people or players. One thing I always say to the players is: ‘You’re in a race with yourself’. If you’re a centre forward, naturally you’d want to compete to score the most goals. But if you can do better than you did the season, week or day before, that’s the progress you want.

    The moment you start focusing on other people, you take your eyes off the prize. Once you start competing with yourself and being better than the person in the mirror, you will notice progress. 

    Practicing in private

    Another big mental barrier when picking up a sport is feeling self-conscious, which hinders your confidence and performance.

    Remember – when you’re starting something new, you can’t expect to be amazing at it instantly. I’ve always said to myself that I’ll pick up golf in the next couple of years. I’ve got no experience, and I’ve probably got the worst technique you’ve ever seen. I can’t expect to be as good as Tiger Woods from day one. I need to practice, be resilient and keep giving it a go. I think that’s a great life lesson, regardless of whatever you’re doing.

    If you’re self-conscious, it’s fine to practice in private. Get the practice in whenever you can where there’s no one watching, so you don’t have to worry about people criticising your technique. As you become more proficient, you’ll feel more confident in yourself and your abilities.


    AIA Starter Plans

    Simple affordable plans you can buy online, get protected in 15 mins.

    Talk to an Adviser

    Get expert insurance advice, free and without obligation.

    Talk to an Adviser

    AIA Vitality

    A health and wellbeing programme that rewards your small, healthy choices.

    Quick Quote

    Use our Quick Quote to get an estimate of how much your insurance needs could cost.


    Article by: AIA Vitality Staff Writer

    Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday New Zealanders live healthier, longer, better lives. 

     

    Disclaimer: The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional, tax or other advice. It does not take into account any individual’s personal situation or needs. You should consider obtaining professional advice from a financial adviser and/or tax specialist, or medical or health practitioner, in relation to your own circumstances and before acting on this information.


    This content is brought to you by AIA Vitality

    AIA Vitality is a science-backed health and wellbeing programme that provides the guidance, tools, and rewards to get more out of life so you can start thriving.

    Find out more on AIA Vitality.

    FOLLOW


    You might like these

    26 January 2022

    Ian Jones: What I’ve learnt from heart rate training

    AIA Vitality NZ - 5 min read


    Ian Jones explains the benefits of heart rate training, and how he used it to prepare for his Ironman event.

    02 February 2022

    Marika Day: Why – and how – you should be eating 30 plants each week

    Marika Day - 5 min read


    Marika Day chats to us about why we should aim to eat 30 different plants every week for optimal gut health.

    26 August 2021

    Better Lives with AIA Vitality: How Ngaire beat type 2 diabetes into remission with small choices

    AIA Vitality NZ - 5 min read


    Ngaire felt betrayed by her body after 2 tragic events. But now she’s thriving thanks to healthy eating.
    Contact Us

    Live Chat

    Mon-Fri 8am - 6pm

    0800 500 108

    Mon-Fri 8am - 6pm

    Postal address

    AIA New Zealand Limited
    Private Bag 92499
    Victoria St West
    Auckland 1142

    View all contact options
    CONTACT US

    Live Chat

    Mon-Fri 8am - 6pm

    0800 500 108

    Mon - Fri 8am to 6pm
    AIA House, 74 Taharoto Road, Takapuna, Auckland 0622, New Zealand
    View all contact options
    Company
    About AIA New Zealand
    Careers
    News and Press
    Anti-bribery and corruption
    Our Financial Strength
    Environmental Social Governance
    Rainbow Tick Gender Tick
    Toitū carbonreduce certified
    Visit AIA.com to learn more about AIA Group.
    Quick Links
    AIA Vitality
    Airpoints™
    Our Financial Strength
    Our Commitments
    Our Products

    Life Insurance

    Health Insurance

    Income Protection Insurance

    Business Continuity Cover

    AIA Starter Plans

    GO Home Loans

    Get Advice

    Company
    About AIA New Zealand
    Careers
    News and Press
    Anti-bribery and corruption
    Our Financial Strength
    Environmental Social Governance
    Rainbow Tick Gender Tick
    Toitū carbonreduce certified
    Visit AIA.com to learn more about AIA Group.
    Quick links

    AIA Vitality

    Airpoints™

    Home Loans: GO Online login

    MyAIA login

    Investment Products

    Past Insurance Products

    Make a Claim

    FAQs

    Our products

    Life Insurance

    Health Insurance

    Income Protection Insurance

    Business Continuity Cover

    AIA Starter Plans

    GO Home Loans

    Get Advice


    Copyright © 2023, AIA New Zealand Limited (Company Registration No: 352806), and its affiliates and subsidiaries. All rights reserved.
    Terms of Use | Privacy Statement | Cookie Policy | Duty of Disclosure
    Thank you

    Thanks for getting in touch.

    You can expect a response from us within the next 5 - 7 business days depending on the type of query.

    If you need to hear from us sooner, here are some alternative ways you can contact us or find what you're looking for:

    • Contact an AIA Customer Service Consultant on Live Chat, or
    • Call us on 0800 500 108 (or +64 9 487 9963 if calling from overseas).
      The team is available from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday.
    • For a quick way to confirm your cover, you may be eligible to use MyAIA to view a summary of your policy.