He Oranga Poutama

Iwi of Origin is an inter-iwi sports and cultural festival held in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

He Oranga Poutama is Sport NZ’s longest-running kaupapa Māori programme. It helps whānau, hapori and iwi Māori to be active in ways that reflect te ao Māori – a Māori worldview. The goal is simple: whānau-led, whānau-driven and hapū and iwi supported.

Every rohe is different. For some, it’s about strategic partnerships and services. For others, it’s about building capability or guiding delivery at a local level. Whatever it looks like, He Oranga Poutama is always grounded in te reo Māori, tikanga Māori and te taiao or the natural world and spaces like marae and awa. The focus is on participation and leadership for Māori and physical activity is the driver.

This programme contributes to Te Pākē o Ihi Aotearoa, Sport NZ’s Māori Outcomes Framework, and advances Mauri Ora outcomes of cultural identity, connection and vitality through:

Ūkaipō – strengthening Māori identity and leadership.
Whanaungatanga – building relationships and participation in communities.
Rangatiratanga – empowering Māori to flourish in physical activities as Māori.

Being active isn’t just about fitness – it’s about identity, connection and hauora. When Māori can move in ways that celebrate who they are, it strengthens communities and leadership for the future.

Who we invest in

We currently invest in 19 organisations through He Oranga Poutama to develop, promote and implement physical activities that are culturally appropriate to Māori. These are: 