Organisers of the New Zealand Masters Games in Dunedin say the event is moving in the right direction despite only a minimal increase in participants this year.
A Dunedin City Council report on the February 2018 games showed the number of competitors increased by 14 to 4513 compared with 2016.
Held yearly, the event alternates between Whanganui and Dunedin.
But in the report games manager Vicki Kestila said the slight increase in athlete numbers was a "significant'' turnaround on the 2014 and 2016 games, which had declines of more than 10%.
It was the fifth games run by the Dunedin Masters Games Trust.
Revenue from registration fees as well as naming sponsorship from the Otago Community Trust meant a surplus of about $10,500 was forecast and there was no need for the games to be underwritten by the council.
As well as underwriting the event the council also provided funding of about $179,000 (over a two-year period) for a games manager and any overheads.
A survey given out to all participants found 91% of those who responded were "very satisfied'' or "satisfied'' with the event.
Games trust chairman John Bezett said the increase meant the games were now moving in the right direction after a few years of decline.
A focus on increasing participation in individual sports rather than the games as a whole had seemed to pay off, Mr Bezett said.
Sports with the largest increases from 2016 included gym sports (88%), triathlon (61%), 12km road run (87%) and paddle sports (109%).
"We've been tracking other major events, not only in New Zealand but also Australia, and their numbers have been increasing over the years and we took a few pointers from them.''
Mr Bezett said the trust would still need to build on this year's games and continue to improve.
