In this Sport NZ panel discussion from the Hine O Te Kura Youth symposium, learn how different experiences of sport and menstruation have shaped these athlete’s perspectives of being active when on their periods. Facilitated by Mai FM host Tegan Yorwarth, the panel covers topics including the importance of inclusive uniforms, having tough conversations with male coaches about periods and how movement can help when it’s ‘that time of the month’: 

Panel members: 

• College footballer Molly Newton-Smith 
• Basketballer and rower Fern Taiapa 
• former Whitefern Anna Peterson 

In March 2023, Honoco were commissioned to undertake research with rangatahi and parents about the perceptions and challenges faced in relation to periods (ikura). This research had a national view, with a focus on Māori and Pasifika in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. 

The research was completed in two phases:  

Phase 1 – Quantitative 

Some of the findings include: 

• Māori are +18% & Pasifika are +24% more likely to identify period poverty as an important issue in New Zealand. 
• Young Māori and Pasifika are +63.6% more likely than the national average to not play in a sport they are interested in because clothing/equipment makes them feel self-conscious. 

Download the research here.

Phase 2 - Qualitative  

The qualitative research was completed across March and April 2023, delivered in an online format. A total of 24 activities were designed and conducted over a 7 -day period. Activities included a mix of private and public tasks with some directed to certain segments within the community - such as a separate set of activities for those who menstruate to share their experiences versus those who do not menstruate. 

Both youth (16 – 14 years) and parents, of various genders participated in the research. 

Some of the findings included: 

• 88.2% want darker sport gear/uniforms 
• 90% of participants had no awareness or knowledge of the Te Ao Māori worldview on menstrual cycles prior to the study. 
• Cost was the #1 barrier among these options with 81.8% of the 33 participants stating this had an impact. A lack of social network support and lack of appropriate education were the #2 and #3 barriers. 
• 38.5% noted their menstrual cycle as a major impediment on their usual day-to-day activities or routines. 

Download the research here. 

The research is now available to assist with validating and supporting future conversations and work.  

Design your own sports uniform and explain the features. 

Sporting uniforms are a trending topic, and while uniforms can give teams a sense of unity and equality, they don’t always suit the needs of individuals on the team. Uniforms are a consideration when it comes to feeling confident when people who menstruate have their period, but there are other considerations too, such as: religious, accessibility, comfort, person preference, sustainability of material, fit-for-purpose suitability of a sport or organisation and more.   

So for each of your students, what would their ideal uniform look like and why? 

Design your own menstrual ally campaign. 

Across the different sessions, various speakers of the Hine O Te Kura Youth Symposium spoke about being a menstrual ally.  

Sophie and Tobias discussed using inclusive language. 

Clare provided numbers on products and how much it costs for a menstruator. 

The Sport NZ panel explored their various sporting experiences. 

Ask students to put together a campaign that explores what a menstrual ally is and why it’s important. Ask them to include the purpose of the campaign, the background as to why it is necessary, who the target market is, key messages of the campaign and what platform they would use (e.g. social media, posters, broadcast advertising, etc). 

Key considerations of the campaign should include, diversity and inclusivity, simplicity, and ultimately – will it help to solve menstrual inequity? 

Provide a presentation on a culture and their menstrual practices and explore how they may have changed throughout history? 

We learnt from Michele, Sophie and Tobias about Te Ao Māori ikura practices and how they’ve changed throughout history and through the influences of colonisation. Various cultures have different practices. 

Ask your students to pick a culture and research and present on the menstrual practices. 

By opening up these topics, not only do individuals have the opportunity to explore their own preferences and experiences, but they also learn about differences. Learning about what makes us different can in turn, help to unite us.