Tara Ikinofo

Tēnā koutou katoa. Ko Tara Ikinofo tōku ingoa. He uri tēnei nō Ngāi te Rangi me Waikato Tainui. Hau au he maaga fulufuluola ko Maolagi Alofi i Niue. Nō reira, tēnā tātou.

I was part of the fourth intake of the Sport NZ Graduate programme (2016-2017) after graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Sport and Recreation Management from the Auckland University of Technology (2015).

The graduate programme provided me with insight into and knowledge of the sector from a governance, national, and regional perspective and helped me identify areas of interest for my future career. I completed my year two placements at Sport Bay of Plenty and Bay of Plenty Rugby Union. The opportunities to network and engage with various people throughout the sector was a valuable aspect of the programme.

Since completing the programme, I have gained further experience in and out of the sport sector through various roles and organisations.

Whilst at Aktive Auckland Sport and Recreation, I was in the role of Sport and Culture Projects Assistant (2018). I supported the development and implementation of the Auckland Approach Targeted Population Groups (TPG) Priority Plan, contributed to building cultural competency, and supported the establishment of a Regional Sport Organisation - Kī o Rahi Tāmaki Makaurau.

I also worked in the social services sector for Te Whānau o Waipareira and Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency; I was the Pou Hākinakina Project Lead and Social Impact Specialist (2019-2020). The key focus of my role was the development of a strategic framework that supports sporting excellence through a whānau ora approach; a framework that focusses on athlete well-being in a culturally responsive way. Additionally, I was tasked with developing initiatives relevant and suitable for whānau to achieve positive outcomes and be self-determining.

I am currently the Events & Projects Manager at Ngā Kaihoe o Aotearoa, Waka Ama NZ.