We sat down with Trina Henare to explore her leadership of He Oranga Poutama, before she embarks on her next chapter serving her iwi, Ngāti Hine. From empowering others, championing Māori voices, to celebrating her most proud moments, here’s what she had to say. 

Pātai 1: Can you tell us about your leadership style? If you could compare it to a sport, what would it be and why? 

My leadership style is very much about leading from behind, empowering others to amplify their voice and connect to their own mana motuhake, whatever that means for them. As a leader, I have a clear purpose and know my ‘why.’ I draw on the best parts of my whakapapa to articulate that purpose and drive better outcomes for Māori in the sector. If I had to compare it to a sport, it would be waka ama and I’d be the kaihautū of the waka. It’s about steering, guiding and ensuring everyone moves forward together. 

Pātai 2: What have you enjoyed most about leading He Oranga Poutama at Sport NZ? 

I’ve loved the ability to add iwi pūrākau and kōrero to my kete. Seeing He Oranga Poutama kaimahi realise their own potential is incredibly rewarding. E kite ahau ngā hua mō ngā kaupapa katoa. I see the benefits of these kaupapa every day, whānau moving in ways that are relevant to their own context. Making connections with iwi, hapū and marae has also been a highlight. 

Pātai 3: Why is it important that Māori have a seat at the decision-making table? What does that look like in practice? 

What’s good for Māori is good for everyone. We are natural connectors, visionaries and nurturers. We see beyond the first horizon and acknowledge those who came before us. We never forget our past and we are lifelong learners. These are critical skills for any decision-making table. 

In practice, this looks like: 

1. Engaging with Māori at the first thought about a kaupapa or solution.  
2. Handing over the right tools and resources.  
3. Having trust in organisations as the experts and resourcing the kaupapa upfront. 

Pātai 4: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve come up against and how have you overcome them? 

Some of the biggest challenges include the ongoing reliance on systems that don’t always serve Māori, creating barriers for kaimahi and the communities we support. Approaches rooted in traditional thinking, limited trust in Māori capability and the lack of space for Māori-led innovation continue to hold us back. Addressing these challenges calls for persistence, advocacy and building trust through genuine whanaungatanga. 

Pātai 5: What’s one change you’re proud to have led in your role at Sport NZ Ihi Aotearoa? 

I’m proud to have led the transition from the old He Oranga Poutama outcomes framework to Te Pākē Mauri Ora long-term outcomes. I’ve built relationships to design Māori-led investment discussions and reporting that supports Māori as orators. I’ve also helped establish new partnership agreements between iwi and regional sport trusts, supporting iwi to have direct relationships with Sport NZ. 

Pātai 6: What is your biggest hope for the next generation of Māori leaders? 

That they continue to see that being Māori is your superpower!