Category: Manawakura

NPEC Whakataetae Eke Ngaru Kura Tuatahi 2023 

Posted on by Tracey Harkess

The first ever surfing competition in Ngati Porou for primary schools was more than just catching waves, it was about connecting whānau to Taiao and the Moana through the shared experience of surfing. 

Ninety tamariki from nine schools took part, as far as Mangatuna in Uawa and all the way from Te Kura Mana Māori o Maraenui in the Opotiki district, two hours away from Wharekahika where the event took place. 

“My wairua is overflowing, I can’t even put it in words” said Whiti Ora Manawakura Advisor Shyla-Drew Taiapa.  

“What I took away from this day was oranga Taiao, oranga whānau – healthy environment, healthy family, our whānau reconnecting with the Taiao and remembering how our Taiao can sustain us holistically. The impact that this resource (surfboard container) has provided for our whānau here in Wharekahika and other surrounding communities all along the coast from Ruatoria to Maraenui is huge. Toddlers, teenagers, to 65 year old pākeke utilise the gear. I have loved seeing whanau especially the dads out there day in and day out practicing with their whānau.” 

A container, of 20 surfboards and 60 wetsuits, is located at Wharekahika beach as part of an initiative by the Gisborne Boardriders Club to be able to provide surfing opportunities for communities that otherwise would have barriers to participate due to access. There are two other surfboard containers located in Tokomaru Bay and Waipiro Bay that were funded by Trust Tairāwhiti.  

“We are incredibly proud to see our vision coming to life, tamariki and whānau connecting with the Moana and each other sharing the stoke.” said Gisborne Boardriders Club Surfing Development Manager Flo Bub. 

“This wouldn’t be possible without the local champions such as Shyla-Drew Taiapa from Whiti Ora. We are here to help them on their journey running surfing programs and initiatives by themselves. We have learned that there’s lots more appetite from communities around the cape and we are looking forward to duplicating what we have done the last few years up the coast. Share the stoke.” 

Each school entered a team, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Mangatuna, Makarika School, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Waiu, Ngata Memorial College School, Pae o Te Riri, Te Waha o Rerekohu Area School, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kawakawa Mai Tawhiti, and Te Kura o Potaka, Te Kura Mana Māori o Maraenui, with some schools entering two. 

Each team was made up of five participants. Each team had twenty minutes for all participants to catch a maximum of two waves. Teams were scored on their time – teams received extra points for finishing early, stance, pop up on the board, how long they rode the wave and their ‘stoke’ (how stoked they were). 

Future plans are already in place to expand this kaupapa by hosting the first NPEC secondary school surf competition as well as a Te Aho Matua Eke Ngaru competition where the event will be held completely in Te Reo Maori.  Surfing competitions along the coast provide more opportunities for whakawhānaungātanga as well as being physically active within the natural environment.  

The Grand final placings were, TKKM o Kawakawa Mai Tawhiti (first), TKMM o Maraenui (second), and TKKM o Kawakawa Mai Tawhiti (third). In the Pool B finals, Potaka blue (first), Rerekohu black (second) and Te Waiu – Waiu (third). 

Sporting Opportunities for Whaikaha Community

Posted on by Tracey Harkess

Over forty rangatahi from Lytton High School, Campion College, Gisborne Girls High and Gisborne Intermediate took part in Futsal Festival for the whaikaha (disability) community.

Central Football alongside Whiti Ora, adapted the traditional futsal elements to fit the needs of those who have physical or mental learning obstacles.

“The games and activities have been really interactive and achievable,” said Gisborne Intermediate Kaiako Michaela Boyle.

“It’s been great seeing so many students be successful during the activities and be supported and encouraged by all facilitators and staff. There are also many opportunities for students to explore skills individually and in a team.”

The basic modifications of football allowed rangatahi to find a way to participate in sport that works for them, and not against them. It allowed them to be active and build relationships so that they don’t miss out on quality sporting experiences.

“It’s wonderful to be able to provide opportunities that may not necessarily be readily available to the students and fantastic to see them having so much fun,” said Central Football Special Projects Manager John McGifford.

“Seeing the smiles on so many faces was incredibly fulfilling, and we look forward to the programme becoming an annual event.”

Whiti Ora is seeking out other clubs or codes that want to jump on board and provide similar opportunities for whaikaha in their respective sport.

“The four-week Futsal Festival was such a great experience to see sport codes and the whaikaha community work together to create more opportunities, connect and have fun,” said Whiti Ora Manawakura Advisor Courtney Stubbins.

“Traditional sports don’t always work for our communities that face barriers, so we need to be responsive to ensure that we are providing opportunities for all of our rangatahi. We would love to hear from any other codes or clubs who are interested in finding ways to be more inclusive.”

2022 Ngata Sevens

Posted on by Tracey Harkess

Schools and Kura from Gisborne travelled to Ruatoria on Wednesday to take part at the Ngata Sevens.

Ngata Sevens consists of rangatahi playing rugby and netball with the help of the Gisborne Netball Centre and Ngāti Porou East Coast Rugby.

There were 150 rangatahi participating from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Waiu o Ngāti Porou, Ngata Memorial College, Gisborne Girls High School, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Uri a Māui, Gisborne Boys High, Lytton High and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Horouta Wananga.

“We really appreciated the schools from Turanga travelling to Ruatoria to participate.” Said Ngata College Kaiako Matua Wayne Palmer

“Traditionally, Ngata Sevens is a kaupapa where the schools of Turanga would travel to the coast once a year to show their appreciation to the coast schools for travelling to Turanga for other sporting events. It was a great day and we’ve had awesome feedback all round especially from the rangatahi.”

Ngata Sevens was due to be held back in August but it was postponed twice and almost cancelled for 2022.

“We’re so happy that we were able to break the drought after two years due to covid and weather conditions and provide the rangatahi of Tairāwhiti an opportunity to come and celebrate whakawhanaungatanga. What better way to do it than with sports.” Said Whiti Ora Manawakura Advisor Shyla-Drew Taiapa.

Ngata Sevens wasn’t only about getting active, and participating in sport, it was about whakawhanaungatanga.

“The impact of having these schools attend this special occasion allowed the key component of the day to blossom which was whakawhanaungatanga” Said Whiti Ora Youth Development Advisor Iti Kahurangi Takurua-Keelan

“The dynamic of having schools in Gisborne and the East Coast allowed interaction opportunities that could not be possible without events like Ngata Sevens. Ngata Sevens was a success for both the rangatahi and the hapori.”

Ki o Rahi Tournament

Posted on by Tracey Harkess

Many schools around Te Tairāwhiti have enthusiastically been learning the ancestral Māori game of Kī-o-Rahi.

The Manawakura team at Whiti Ora have been sharing the pūrākau (legend) and kemu (game) with schools around Tairāwhiti and playing according to the values of whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, and rangatiratanga.

“The festival was a huge success and we’ve received overwhelming positive feedback.” Said Manawakura Advisor Fergus Knight.

“The highlight for me has been seeing young people coming together and pushing themselves as hard as they can while maintaining so much respect for each other, even clapping when the opposition scores points. The game is super inclusive, fun and incorporates a wide variety of skills and strategies. It’s the best game in the world.”

“Thank you to all the teachers who gave these young people the opportunity to play and thanks to the secondary school students who did a professional job officiating the games.”

21 schools registered for the festival and 15 schools were able to attend the festival. On the day we had 200 year 5 and 6 students from St Mary’s, Sonrise Christian School, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Waiu o Ngāti Porou, Makaraka, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o, Whatatutu, Kaiti, Whangara, Muriwai, Ngatapa, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ngā Uri a Māui, Gisborne Central, Manutūkē, Kahukuranui & Tolaga Bay, Mangapapa and Wainui Beach.

TKKM Nga Uri a Maui and Kaiti School battled it out for first place with Kaiti School walking away with the win.

The 2022 Remarkable Games

Posted on by Tracey Harkess

Thirty rangatahi from Tolaga Bay Area School, Gisborne Girls High School, Ritana/Lytton High School and Campion College took part in the Remarkable Games on Thursday.

“The event was fantastic, enjoyable and well organised” Said Ritana/Lytton High School Lead Teacher Rongomaiwhiti Debbie McClutchie.

“All our students that have complex needs had so much fun. Congratulations to the organisers of such a positive, and vibrant vibe. That activity is so needed for our students. One of our students said, ‘Let’s do it again!’”

The Remarkable Games is facilitated by Whiti Ora in collaboration with sporting codes to provide our tamariki whaikaha (disability) community a safe, supportive environment where the rangatahi can be their unique selves and have some fun.

“We were stoked to be a part of the Remarkable Games, meeting new people and having fun with the rangatahi. Everyone who came, came with an awesome energy, which made the day” Said Whiti Ora Manawakura Advisor Courtney Stubbins.

The event consisted of an obstacle course, modified netball, boccia, and the highlight amongst the rangatahi was the rainbow parachute.

“This event really showcased the beauty of sport and how it can bring young people together in such a positive way. “ Said Gisborne Netball Centre Youth Development Officer Monique McLeod.

“Some basic modifications of the game enabled every young person to feel success and joy while participating. The energy in the gym was so infectious. The smiles and loud cheers, the teamwork and encouragement on court, it was sport at its best and so much fun to be a part of.”

“We really enjoyed being part of an awesome event, it’s not the activities that make it, it’s the smiles on the tamariki faces” said Regional Development Coordinator for Parafed Gisborne Tairāwhiti Louise Ellery.

Ka Pai Kai for Makarika School and Te Waha O Rerekohu Area School Tamariki

Posted on by Tracey Harkess

Nutritious kai and kōrero proved to be ka pai with tamariki from some of the region’s most remote schools.

As part of the region’s Manawakura approach to the Healthy Active Learning initiative, funded by Sport New Zealand, Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, Whiti Ora are making their way around the coast delivering the kai workshops to support tamariki to grow up with positive eating attitudes and behaviours.

Last week Whiti Ora kaimahi (staff) travelled to the top of the East Coast to join up with Onepoto Bay based Manawakura Advisor, Shyla Taiapa, to visit schools and kura to deliver Ka Pai Kai workshops.

A Lunch Box Session delivered by Whiti Ora to Tolaga Bay Area School is what prompted the Ka Pai Kai workshop kaupapa. Since then, it has been delivered as far as Potaka School and Tikitiki School.

At Makarika school (located 14km south of Ruatoria) tamariki got creative in the kitchen and listened to kōrero (talk) about the Te Whare Tapa Wha model and how it related to kai and their growth.

Makarika School kaiako Cali Morice said “It was a great opportunity for our tamariki to put manaakitanga in action and explore new healthy kai options that were easy to make. To the point where we had round two of this kai the following day made independently by our own tamariki.”

Three kai sessions took place at Te Waha O Rerekohu Area School in Te Araroa, ranging in ages from Year 1 –8. Tamariki and rangatahi learnt about vitamins, minerals and nutritious kai, and how they support learning and development.

Rerekohu School kaiako Lisa Rudland said “We’re so lucky to have Koka Shyla, Koka Kate and Koka Tracey from Whiti Ora come along and share their knowledge about nutritional eating and how to look after our bodies and mind. We’ve got some future budding Master Chefs!”

In 2022 the Ka Pai Kai workshops will continue along the coast and will include a more whānau based approach by including whānau vs. tamariki in a Master Chef challenge initiative.