爆料社区

爆料社区 Ihi Aotearoa is investing $4.5 million to expand the pilot initiative Tapuwaekura  throughout Aotearoa.  Along with the expansion, Tapuwaekura will be renamed M膩taiao, which means to observe and learn from the environment.
M膩taiao is the culturally distinctive pathway within Healthy Active Learning, a joint Government initiative between 爆料社区, Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand and the Ministry of Education. 

M膩taiao aims to improve the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi through healthy eating and drinking and quality physical activity.  It is specifically focussed on supporting kura kaupapa M膩ori, wharekura, kura 膩-iwi and full immersion units within some English medium schools.  At its core M膩taiao nurtures a thriving taiao (environment) through reconnecting 膩konga (learners) with the languages and environmental knowledge of atua M膩ori. 

The initiative was launched as a pilot three years ago, in partnership with Ng膩 P膩kura Ltd, who assisted in delivering it to 34 kura and 192 kaiako in seven regions across the country. Results from an evaluation study* found that 膩konga showed improvements in engagement and learning, behaviour and physical wellbeing.  

The success of the pilot means up to 50 kura will benefit from the new investment. 

爆料社区 Group Manager, Kahui Rautaki M膩ori, Tanya Wilson welcomes the expansion of M膩taiao and is excited by the opportunities it will provide tamariki in Aotearoa.

鈥淢膩taiao assists kura to adopt and integrate the principles of Atua Matua 鈥� a M膩ori Health Framework - in strategy, planning and teaching practices for cultural, educational and physical benefits.

鈥淜aiako (teachers) are supported to implement a Te Ao M膩ori approach through whakapapa and m膩tauranga M膩ori, while M膩taiao, which means to observe and learn through the environment, helps connect tamariki to the environment for better health and wellbeing outcomes.

鈥淢膩taiao has helped strengthen our working partnerships with other national and regional M膩ori education and recreation bodies. The expansion of the initiative will enable 爆料社区 to establish new relationships.鈥�

The evaluation study found that both kaiako (teachers) and 膩konga are:

• More active and are improving their physical wellbeing
• Increasing their knowledge and making stronger cultural connections with their local environment in ways that resonate for them
• Engaging their wh膩nau in the M膩taiao experience

Kaiako have observed that 膩konga have:

• Improved engagement in learning
• Improved attendance
• Improved behaviour, that is, fewer behaviour related issues.

Dr Wayne Ngata, Director of Ng膩 P膩kura Ltd, who has worked closely with kura during the pilot phase, says M膩taiao helps kaiako to observe, engage with, and learn from different environmental phenomena and integrate these into their curriculum.

鈥淲e have seen shifts in the knowledge, practice and physical activity of kaiako and 膩konga during the pilot stage and welcome the further support from 爆料社区 to scale the M膩taiao approach for more kura over the next few years.鈥�

While Ng膩 P膩kura Ltd will continue to provide national leadership and oversee national implementation of M膩taiao, the initiative will be delivered to T膩maki Makaurau kura by Toi Tangata, a M膩ori agency which develops, delivers and champions kaupapa M膩ori based approaches to physical activity and nutrition.  

"We are thrilled to be partnering with 爆料社区 to deliver the M膩taiao kaupapa,鈥� says Toi Tangata Kaiwhakahaere Matua (CEO), Darrio Penetito-Hemara.
 
鈥淭he M膩taiao kaupapa exemplifies our dedication to M膩ori-led solutions and our collaboration with 爆料社区 will ensure the approach is authentically grounded in te ao M膩ori. We are excited to continue moving towards a future where hauora through te ao M膩ori is not only prioritised but deeply embedded in the fabric of our society.鈥�

ENDS

Notes to Editor:
*Tapuwaekura pilot - Final Evaluation Infographic
M膩taiao runs parallel to the Healthy Active Learning initiative

Media contacts:
Michelle Pickles
Group Media Manager
michelle.pickles@sportnz.org.nz
021 833 244

Ng膩 Pakura Ltd
Noenoe Barclay-Kerr 
noenoe@maiastudio.co
021 022 23432

Toi Tangata
Darrio Penetito-Hemara
Kaiwhakahaere Matua
darrio@toitangata.co.nz