Te Orokohanga | Our Origins 

Māori National Sports Organisations (MNSOs) play an essential role in the future of New Zealand sports. Creating pathways in Māori communities, NSOs encourage adults and young people to participate in sports and support them to perform at the highest levels.

The legacy within these organisations is significant given some of them are now reaching a staggering contribution of 80-100 years. A national collective agency has been a moemoeā for over 20 years, the opportunity came in 2020 (during Covid-19 recovery period) that Sport NZ Ihi Aotearoa reached out to support the establishment of the authority.   

The agency was named by Tā Tamati Reedy and Te Huinga was officially launched and mandated on 16 August 2022 by eleven national Māori Sports Codes.  Its role; to increase the capability and capacity of its members (Māori National Sport Organisations), advocate on behalf of members with Government agencies and non-government organisations and increase visibility of the collective contribution to Māori wellbeing.

 Ō Tātou Kairangi​​​​​​​




Sir Tamati Muturangi Reedy & Lady Tilly Te Koingo Reedy 

Tā Tamati and Kahurangi Tilly Reedy both Ngāti Porou, were both Educationists and Academics making significant contribution to Maori Education, Kōhanga Reo and the design of curriculum in Māori Medium, contributing to the draft of ‘Te Whāriki’. Tā Tamati has been honoured as ‘Young Māori Man of the Year 1972’ and 1990 New Zealand Commemoration Medal.

Te Huinga Tākaro o Aotearoa are honoured to have been named by Tā Tamati and Lady Tilly, in reference to the ‘gathering of Māori Sports’ together.

They have eight children together. Tā Tamati was a Fullright Scholar and an Associate Professor at University of Alabama and later a Foundation Dean and  Professor of the Māori and Pacific Development at the University of Waikato. Tamati was a keen sportsman. Tamati was a Māori All Black, representing East Coast and Thames Valley, he was a tennis player and a marathon runner. Both Tā Tamati and Lady Tilly have been long time supporters of He Tohu Tākaro o Aotearoa – Māori Sports Awards and have  both worked tirelessly for the achievement of Māori.

Dame June Hinekahukura Mariu DNZM, QSM, JP

Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Ngāti Porou – A Community Leader, Teacher, Sportswoman and ‘Auntie June’ to many.

Whaea June represented NZ in two sporting codes. Netball, first winning Captain and first Māori Captain of a National Netball Team. She represented NZ in Indoor Basketball and played regional softball. Whaea June was inducted into the Māori Sports Awards Hall of Fame in 2014.

Whaea June served as Māori Women’s Welfare League President 1987-1999. A Health Report – Rapuora – Health and Māori Women, by Dr Irihapeti Rehu-Murchie in 1987, was the catalysis for the implementation of Aotearoa Maori Netball Oranga Healthy Lifestyles (1988). Whaea June was the National Māori Netball Co-ordinator for many years.

A humble, hardworking, role model, involved in all areas of the Community in West Auckland, Hoani Waititi Marae,  Te Whānau Waipareira, and her beloved Rutherford College and Kapa haka Group – Te Kōtuku.

Ngā kaitautoko o mua

Ki a rātou ngā mate huhua o Te Huinga Tākaro o Aotearoa kua whetūrangitia, haere, haere, haere atu rā.  E kore e mimiti te mihi ki a koutou i whakatū i te waka, i hoe tahi ai kia ū ki uta. Moe mai rā ki te hunga kua mene ki te pō.

Ki a koutou ngā kanohi ora, ngā kaimahi o mua, ngā mema poari, ngā rōpū whakatū, ngā rōpū mahi hoki nā koutou te a i hāpai, i poipoi, i whakatō kia puāwai ai tēnei  re whare, tēnā koutou katoa.

Nā tō koutou whakapau kaha, tō koutou māia, me tō koutou whakapono ki te kaupapa i tū ai Te Huinga Tākaro o Aotearoa hei pou whakakotahi mō te hunga tākaro puta noa i te motu. Ahakoa kua wehe atu ētahi ki wāhi kē, kei te mau tonu ngā hua o ā koutou mahi, ngā moemoeā i whakatakotoria e koutou, me ngā ara i paraia hei whai mā ngā reanga o nāianei, o anamata hoki.

Nā koutou i whakatū te waka, nā koutou hoki i para te huarahi. 

To those who have passed on, we remember you with deep gratitude and respect.  We acknowledge and honour the many past kaimahi, board members, establishment rōpū, and working parties whose vision, commitment, and hard work laid the foundations for Te Huinga Tākaro o Aotearoa.

Your dedication, leadership, and belief in the kaupapa helped shape and grow this organisation into a unifying space for the Māori sport community across Aotearoa. The legacy of your contributions continues to guide and inspire the work we do today and into the future.

Together, we honour your contribution and legacy.

Ngā Kairangi

Te Roopu Manaaki

Te Roopu Whakamahi 2020-2022

Te Poari

Te Poari Whakatūranga 01/07/2022 - 06/08/2023