He karere ki te motu — we are seeking new members to join our rōpū

Ka tākina te manawa ora

We recite and acknowledge our intentions

Te Kāhui Kura Māori (TKKM) is inviting expressions of interest from Māori who wish to contribute their skills, knowledge, and leadership to a national collective guiding the future direction of Recreation Aotearoa.

This is an opportunity to bring your mātauranga, your worldview, and your unique expertise into a space where it will directly influence sector transformation ensuring recreation in Aotearoa is grounded in equity, cultural integrity, and the aspirations of tangata whenua.

Since its establishment in 2019, TKKM has supported and led significant shifts within Recreation Aotearoa. Alongside the Board and kaimahi Māori, we have worked to embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi across governance, strategy, operations, and relationships. Our work has helped shape a sector where recreation is increasingly understood as a foundation for oranga, hauora, mauriora and as a catalyst for transformative change.

We are now preparing for the next phase of this journey te pae tawhiti and we are seeking new crew members to help guide the navigation of this waka hourua.

Mō Mātou - About Te Kāhui Kura Māori

TKKM is a collective of Māori leaders, practitioners, educators, advisors, and thinkers from across Aotearoa who support Recreation Aotearoa and its Board through:

• infusing cultural wisdom and mātauranga Māori into strategy, governance, and organisational systems 
• strengthening the capability and confidence of kaimahi Māori 
• supporting the design and delivery of wānanga 
• guiding and advising on kaupapa Māori initiatives, approaches, and relational practice 
• helping grow dynamic cultural capability within the organisation 
• ensuring Māori worldviews and values are embedded across the recreation sector through the reach and impact of Recreation Aotearoa.

Our work to date includes:

• Constitutional reform embedding Te Tiriti and tikanga Māori principles 
• Leading the development of Te Whai Oranga, the organisation’s first bicultural strategy 
• Supporting equitable funding pathways for Māori-led recreation Embedding mātauranga Māori and cultural practice across programmes and teams.

Te Aronga ki tua - Our focus moving forward

As we look to the next horizon, Te Kāhui Kura Māori will be deepening its focus on:

• strengthening relationships with tangata whenua through our kupenga and regional networks 
• building meaningful ties with Indigenous communities internationally to understand shared aspirations and opportunities 
• elevating the perspectives of whānau, hapū and iwi, supporting positive advocacy across the recreation sector 
• applying an intergenerational lens that protects and enhances future wellbeing 
• growing participation so more whānau across Aotearoa are active, connected, and engaged with te taiao.

Drawing on our collective strengths and relationships, we aim to see more people recreating in Aotearoa, and more whānau benefiting from the health, cultural, and spiritual richness that active lives and meaningful connection to place can bring.

Ko Wai Ngā Kaumoana e Rapu Nei Mātou - who we are looking for

We welcome expressions of interest from Māori who bring:

• experience in recreation, hauora, Māori development, education, community leadership, or sector practice 
• strong cultural grounding in reo, tikanga, or mātauranga Māori
• regional knowledge and deep community relationships
• experience as practitioners, advisors, navigators, thought leaders, educators, or cultural experts
• a commitment to supporting the implementation and growth of Te Whai Oranga
• respect for the taiao and an interest in supporting initiatives that connect people to whenua, wai, ngāhere and the wider environment.

This kaupapa is strengthened by diversity across regions, experience, age, and background including rangatahi voices.

Ngā Haepapa - responsibilities

Members contribute through:

• participating in scheduled online hui and occasional wānanga
• supporting the delivery of kaupapa-led wānanga and sector engagements
• offering cultural insight and guidance to the Board and organisation
• contributing to the growth of kaimahi Māori and sector capability
• helping shape strategic advice and supporting sector-wide cultural development
• bringing relational leadership and working collectively in service of a shared vision.

Ngā Matāpono - our values: 

Wairuatanga – Honouring the vitality and mauri of all things
Whanaungatanga – Strengthening trusting and enduring relationships
Manaakitanga – Uplifting the dignity and contributions of others
Rangatiratanga – Leading with purpose, integrity, and clarity
Kotahitanga – Moving together for collective impact

Te Tukanga - key dates

•    EOI opens: 15 December 2025
•    EOI closes: 23 January 2026
•    Shortlisting hui (online): 2 February 2026
•    Interviews / phone kōrero: From 13 February (subject to applicant numbers)
•    Appointments confirmed: End of February 2026

Haumie hui e - Ready to join us?

If this kaupapa resonates with you, we warmly invite you to submit an Expression of Interest and become part of this national collective shaping the future of recreation in Aotearoa.

SUBMIT AN EOI