Strategic Partners

Mana Ōrite Partnership with Sport NZ Ihi Aotearoa

In August 2022, Te Huinga Tākaro o Aotearoa and Sport NZ Ihi Aotearoa formalised a landmark Te Tiriti-led partnership through the signing of a Mana Ōrite agreement at a ceremony in Wellington.  The partnership supported the establishment of Te Huinga Tākaro o Aotearoa as the National Māori Sport Authority—bringing together the collective aspirations of Māori National Sport Organisations (Māori NSOs), developing shared infrastructure, and strengthening their capacity and capability to serve their members.

The agreement was the first partnership of its kind for Ihi Aotearoa. The journey began in 2021 under former Chief Executive Peter Miskimmin and culminated in the agreement being signed by incoming Chief Executive Raelene Castle, with leadership from Ihi Aotearoa Toihautū Moana-Lee Raihania.

Raelene Castle said the Mana Ōrite agreement signalled a long-term partnership that would enable more culturally distinctive pathways for Māori to participate and succeed:

“Māori NSOs play a vital role in supporting Māori participation, performance and success, and Ihi Aotearoa is proud to provide significant investment for the first time. We acknowledge what Māori NSOs do, and have done, for sport—and especially for whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori—to uphold te reo and tikanga Māori, and to increase participation and performance as Māori.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Te Huinga Tākaro Establishment Board member Carol Ngawati said the agreement recognised three decades of mahi and many hui dedicated to ensuring Māori sport organisations were acknowledged for their contribution to sport in Aotearoa:

“Most importantly, we fondly remember those who have passed who championed this day. We also acknowledge our patrons, Dame June Mariu, Sir Tāmati Reedy and Lady Tilly Reedy, for their leadership, talents and wisdom, and for providing a korowai of aroha for us all.”

The Mana Ōrite agreement established a foundation for Te Huinga Tākaro and Ihi Aotearoa to work together to advance their shared and respective aspirations. It represents a ground-breaking relationship and acknowledges the remarkable achievements of Māori NSOs, many of which continue to operate largely through the commitment of volunteers.

This milestone was a long time in the making. It honours the shoulders upon which Te Huinga Tākaro stands—the people still with us and those who have passed—and recognises their struggles, achievements and enduring commitment to sustaining the kaupapa of Māori sport for future generations.