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Hawaiiki Mokopuna – A future that demands we transform how we think, lead and govern Māori sport.Hawaiiki Mokopuna is the guiding kaupapa for our 2026 National Māori Sport & Recreation Conference. It is the future state we are deliberately navigating toward - a Māori-defined, Māori-governed system of sport and recreation where our mokopuna can thrive as Māori while pursuing excellence. Hawaiki Mokopuna requires our collective commitment to transform Māori sport and recreation so that our mokopuna inherit systems that celebrate their identity, activate their culture, and allow them to achieve excellence on Māori terms.
This conference is a kaupapa Māori-led space that centres tikanga, mātauranga Māori and cultural identity as the foundation for how we think about sport and recreation - now and for future generations.
Across two days, we will wānanga how Māori participation, leadership and innovation can be strengthened by:
Highlighting how identity and cultural connection enables Māori to thrive at any performance level
Understanding inequities and biases within current sporting systems
Re-shaping how we understand what it means to be an athlete
Strengthening a network of people and services committed to the same outcome of a better world for our mokopuna
Through kōrero, breakout sessions, outdoor activities and interactive experiences, this conference aims to move beyond westernised formats to create space for whakaaro hou, connection and collective learning.
This conference is proudly sponsored by Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa, supporting sport and recreation in Aotearoa.
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Introducing Our First Speaker Line-Up...
We are proud to bring together a collective of cultural leaders, high-performance athletes, system shapers and Indigenous thinkers who are actively transforming sport and recreation across Aotearoa.
These are the first of many powerful voices joining us in 2026.
TE WEHI WRIGHT | Te Arawa, Ngāruahinerangi, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa, Ngāti Whitikaupeka and Te Rarawa
Pou Tikanga, Māori All Blacks | Cultural Strategist & Lawyer
Exploring how tikanga Māori and authentic cultural systems unlock high-performance excellence — and the responsibility of elite sport to lead cultural integrity and transformation.
DR SALLY RYE | Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou, Te Arawa
Māori Health Practitioner | Founder, The GUTLab Aotearoa
Exploring Rongo ā Puku – an Indigenous gut–brain framework that positions the puku as a source of intelligence shaping wellbeing. Dr Rye blends mātauranga Māori and biomedical science to support whānau to reclaim their hauora through culturally grounded, holistic practice.
PROFESSOR MEIHANA DURIE | Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Raukawa, Rangitāne, Ngāti Porou, Rongo Whakaata, Ngāi Tahu
Indigenous Education Leader | Tumuaki (CEO), Te Wānanga o Raukawa
Exploring how Indigenous leadership can reshape interconnected systems and unlock iho pūmanawa in rangatahi Māori. Professor Durie will present a framework grounded in mana and self-determination, applicable across Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Whānui.
TAKOHA ROPATI | Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Ranginui, Hāmoa
Māori Sport Leader | Ngāti Hine Touch
Ko te tuakiritanga te ahotangaingai ki te angitū. How strong cultural identity and Ngāti Hine connection unlock descendant potential through sport.
JOE WEBBER | Ngāti Ranginui, Raukawa
Olympian | All Blacks Sevens
Panellist discussion; Elite performance, identity reclamation through te reo Māori, and balancing high performance with whānau and culture.
JORDON WEBBER | Ngāti Ranginui, Raukawa
World Rugby Sevens Series Representative
Panellist discussion; Empowering rangatahi in sport and embracing cultural identity as a source of strength in elite environments.
REIHANA SOUTAR | Ngāti Porou
NZ Open Men’s Touch Representative | Physiotherapist | Māori Partnerships Lead, Habit Health
He Ara Whakatipu – Growing through the system to influence the system. From athlete to clinician to advocate, reshaping high-performance sport through hauora and Māori frameworks.
ERIN ROXBURGH | Ngāti Porou
National Handball Representative | Lecturer & PhD Candidate, Te Herenga Waka | Women in Sport Aotearoa Board member
Advancing gender equity in sport and strengthening Māori governance, leadership and influence across sporting systems.
TIHINI GRANT | Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue
Cultural Practitioner
Tihini Grant is a champion of tikanga Māori and te reo Māori, dedicated to protecting, advancing, and sharing the mātauranga passed down by his kōeke. With expertise across television, film, mau rākau, rongoā and moko, Tihini uplifts Māori identity and knowledge through leadership, advocacy, and lived example - ensuring these taonga thrive for generations to come.
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Conference Details
The conference will formally open with a pōwhiri at 8:30AM at Te Aronui-a-Rua Marae, Te Puia.
We hope that all delegates will be present to uphold the tikanga and collective opening of this kaupapa.
Delegate Registrations will be open:
Sunday 22nd – times to be confirmed
Monday 23rd – times to be confirmed
(Confirmed times will be shared with registered delegates via email)
Full Programme details will be shared with registered delegates in the lead-up to the conference.
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TICKETS
via Humanatix: https://events.humanitix.com/2026-maori-sport-and-recreation-conference
Tickets include;
All kai - daily morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea
Evening networking event entry - cocktail style dinner & welcome drink
Delegate bag - note book, pen & other taonga
Discounted accommodation
Please note, there may be additional costs for some optional activities.
Travel and accommodation is not included.
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Stay Connected
For programme updates, final speaker announcements & activities to come;
Connect to the kaupapa and join our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/210d2072ac4f/mori-sport-rec-conference-2026
OR
Follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/maorisportreconf?igsh=MTZ3d2tjZGs5czN4bQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
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Event Venue
Te Puia - Rotorua, NZ, Pohutu Fountain Coffee Shop, Hemo Rd, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand, Rotorua
Tickets
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