Ki uta tārei ai, ki tai rewa ai

In 2021, we were selected to participate in Sport NZ’s Strengthen and Adapt programme. 


Ki uta tārei ai, Ki tai rewa ai
Prepared on shore, so we can set sail.

About the Strengthen and Adapt programme

Strengthen and Adapt was set up to improve the capability, capacity and resilience of selected national partners and their delivery networks. This will enable them to better meet the needs of tāngata o Aotearoa participating in sport and physical activity in the future.

Read more about Strengthen and Adapt on the Sport NZ website

Why Recreation Aotearoa was selected

We were selected based on the impact of our strategic plan, Te Whai Oranga, and our commitment to embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi in our organisation. The funding allows us to explore the future of recreation in Aotearoa, and what Recreation Aotearoa could look like if we created meaningful relationships with iwi, hapū and Māori.

What we’re doing

Within this project, we’re developing a plan that gives mana to Te Whai Oranga. We will identify potential areas of change for the organisations and how our stakeholders and members feel about this change. This project will also provide us with a foundation to make informed decisions in the future. 

Read our February 2023 project update

Where we’re going

  • Through our members all tāngata o Aotearoa can access recreation opportunities regardless of location, age, ethnicity, gender, ability, or socio-economic status. 
  • Recreation Aotearoa and members will improve cultural capability, increase Māori membership and the number of iwi relationships.
  • To explore new approaches to co-governance/co-leadership with Māori.
  • A place where our strategy is linked to reality. 
  • Revitalisation of mātauranga Māori within the recreation sectors.

Te Kāhui Kura Māori

Guiding us on this journey is our Te Kāhui Kura Māori navigation group.

Meet Te Kāhui Kura Māori

What this means for you

This project may see a change of our own structure and operation, which will impact the way we communicate and work with you. It will give insight into recreation from both a Tāngata Whenua (Māori) and Tāngata Tiriti (non-Māori) worldview, and enhance the work you’re doing. We hope that this project will give you support and resources to build relationships with Māori in your local area and drive better recreational outcomes for all.

Join us on this journey

Throughout this project, you’ll have a change to share your ideas and feedback. We value your voice and being on this journey with you. 

More information

If you’d like to kōrero about this project, email Kuruho Wereta: kuruho@nzrecreation.org.nz