Māori Engagement and Partnership

Club management

02 October 2025

Building meaningful relationships with Māori communities and incorporating te ao Māori (Māori worldview) into your club's operations enriches your organisation and strengthens community connections.

Sport New Zealand research shows that sport and recreation is a positive space for Māori and one in which Māori excel but, like all New Zealanders, participation rates are falling. This highlights the need for a more targeted and culturally responsive approach.

Why Māori engagement matters

Māori bring unique strengths, values and leadership to sport and recreation.
Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tikanga Māori helps create inclusive, respectful environments.
Clubs that embrace te ao Māori build deeper community trust and engagement.

Principles of respectful engagement

Use these principles to guide your club’s approach:

Whakawhanaungatanga – build genuine relationships with local iwi and Māori communities.
Te reo Māori – include Māori language and cultural practices in club activities.
Manaakitanga – show care and respect to all members and visitors.

Honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Embed the Treaty principles into your club’s operations:

Partnership: Invite Māori representatives into governance and decision-making.
Participation: Make Māori members and whānau feel welcome and valued.
Protection: Uphold tikanga Māori and provide cultural safety training.
Representation: Include Māori perspectives in planning and policies.
Celebration: Host events like Matariki, kapa haka and pōwhiri.
Learning: Offer workshops and resources on Māori history and Te Tiriti.

Practical steps for your club

Start small and build over time:

Begin meetings with a karakia or mihi.
Partner with local marae for events or workshops.
Offer te reo Māori classes or resources.
Include Māori values like manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and kotahitanga in policies.
Co-design programmes with Māori communities.
Celebrate Māori Language Week and other cultural milestones.