The research was divided into six key areas of investigation: 

1. International trends: mapping the influences and pointers.
2. Current industry changes and developments.
3. International trends that would affect sports and equipment.
4. New Zealand context: the country's outdoor heritage, the current industry makeup, and impediments to producing innovative products locally.
5. Sustainability & the environment in relation to sporting and equipment: what opportunities are being created by the industry's shift towards sustainable design?
6. Analysis of international market to better understand how local

manufacturers could engage with international markets (including a visit to ISPO 05 Winter Fair in Germany, to learn more about the global industry from a European vantage point).

There was a particular focus on understanding the changing materials and technologies being used and how these would impact on new products.