He Oranga Poutama

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 12 organisations through He Oranga Poutama to develop, promote and implement physical activities that are culturally appropriate to Māori. These are: 

Sport Northland endorsed by Te Kahu o Taonui
Aktive guided by their Māori Outcomes Committee
Te Wharekura o Rākaumanga
Te Whakakitenga o Waikato
Raukawa Charitable Trust
Hauraki Māori Trust Board
Waihikurangi Trust
Mataatua Sports Trust
Te Papa Tākaro o Te Arawa
Te Kapua Whakapipi
Whiti Ora Tairāwhiti in partnership with Te Runanganui o Ngāti Porou
Te Hauora o Tūranganui-a-Kiwa
Te Pae Oranga o Ruahine o Tararua
Tui Ora
Ngāti Kahungunu iwi in partnership with Sport Hawke’s Bay
Te Rūnanga o Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa
Nuku Ora in partnership with Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira
Te Rūnanganui o Te Ātiawa ki te Ūpoko o te Ika
Hurahia.

He Oranga Poutama in Tāmaki Makaurau: Celebrating whakapapa, movement and community in action

He Oranga Poutama looks, sounds and feels different in every rohe. Guided by the aspirations of whānau and hapori Māori, this kaupapa reflects the unique identity of each community. In this video, Milar and Taylah share how He Oranga Poutama comes to life in Tāmaki Makaurau at the 2024 Iwi of Origin event, delivered in collaboration with Aktive Auckland Sport and Recreation.

He Oranga Poutama: Strengthening connection, culture and movement

We joined the National He Oranga Poutama hui in Ōhope, hosted by Mataatua Sports Trust, to hear from kaiwhakahaere and kaimahi of Ihi Aotearoa. They shared why this kaupapa is vital for hapori Māori, how it supports culturally-grounded participation in physical activity and the unique opportunities He Oranga Poutama creates for whānau, hapori and iwi Māori. Watch the video to hear about the impact of this kaupapa and the voices guiding its future.