The Māori Sport and Recreation Conference 2026, a national gathering guided by tikanga Māori that brings together iwi, Māori organisations, sector partners and kaimahi Māori from across Aotearoa.

Taking place at the iconic tourism destination, Te Puia in Rotorua on 25-26 May 2026, the conference creates space to strengthen relationships, share knowledge and explore kaupapa Māori approaches to physical activity that support intergenerational wellbeing.

Purpose of the conference

The conference aims to:

• Build and strengthen relationships between iwi, Māori organisations and sport and recreation partners
• Create space for collaboration grounded in Māori ways of working
• Support shared understanding and alignment across the sector in delivering Māori-led outcomes
• Provide learning opportunities that deepen understanding of te ao Māori, tikanga Māori and long-term system change.

Conference theme: Hawaiki Mokopuna

The theme for this years’ conference is Hawaiki Mokopuna, which speaks to the connection to Māori origins and our responsibility to future generations.

It reflects a collective commitment to strengthening intergenerational pathways through sport and recreation, ensuring Māori solutions today create enduring wellbeing for mokopuna tomorrow. 

When and where

• Dates: 25-26 May 2026
• Location: Te Puia, 20 Hemo Road, Rotorua
• Times: 8:30am – 5:00pm each day
• Theme: Hawaiki Mokopuna – connecting Māori origins to future generations.

What to expect

Across 2 days, participants can expect:

• Keynote speakers sharing Māori perspectives from across the play, active recreation, sport, health, education, tourism and governance sectors.
• Practical sessions led by tikanga Māori with a focus on intergenerational pathways.
• Whanaungatanga opportunities with iwi leaders, Māori organisations, sector partners and kaimahi Māori.
• A programme guided by mātauranga Māori, Māori cultural practices, te reo Māori and rangatahi and community voices.

The conference is designed to be both reflective and practical, offering space for learning, connection and future-focused kōrero.

Who should attend

The conference is for:

• Iwi and Māori organisations
• kaimahi working across the play, active recreation and sport sectors
• community leaders, practitioners and policymakers
• anyone working to support Māori wellbeing through physical activity.

Tickets

Early bird ticket sales are now available for a limited time only from Humantix.

Follow the conference Instagram and Facebook event pages for all the updates over the next 3 months.