Active recreation driving positive change
Rates of rangatahi youth participating in active recreation have fallen by six percent since Covid, according to research by Active NZ.
Sport Tasman, alongside Whakatū Marae, is turning that statistic around through their Rangatahi Active Recreation (RARA) partnership with targeted approach programmes like the Nelson-based Mahia te Mahi that link with the values and interests of young people and encourage them to go back into active recreation.
Mahia te Mahi is a Sport Tasman and Whakatū Marae partnership that aims to reconnect young people who are at risk of disengaging from mainstream education by using physical activity as a driver for positive change.
There are numerous reasons rangatahi youth disengage in active recreation. Cost is probably number one, but distractions include social media, part-time jobs, study, and having girlfriends or boyfriends. There is also a growing gap between those living in under-served communities who do not have access to the same opportunities as others.
Sport Tasman’s Ryan Edwards says Mahia te Mahi translates to do the mahi, get the treats, connects rangatahi with their local communities and whānau by looking after the environment and performing tasks like painting. They are rewarded with outdoor activities.
"We are supporting the programme by providing capability building on how to co-design the programme and incorporate the principles of Mana Taiohi when engaging rangatahi."
Mahia te Mahi uses the Te Whare Tapa Whā model – a wellbeing model developed by leading Māori health advocate Sir Mason Durie, describing wellbeing as a wharenui or meeting house.
"The programme has positively pushed our boundaries as a Regional Sports Trust (RST), enabling us to view rangatahi as a whole, reinforcing the importance of integrating physical activity into all aspects of rangatahi life and values rather than isolating it."
"It is led strongly by Whakatū Marae, and they have guided our understanding of Te Ao Māori. This approach has strengthened the participant's relationship with physical activity, showing how it can complement other aspects of their life, connections, and general wellbeing," says Mr Edwards.
Charmaine Payn, Kaiarataki Ako (Education Manager) at Whakatū Marae says that as a kaupapa Māori organisation Whakatū lives the values of Te Ao Māori – manaakitanga, kotahitanga, whakapapa, kaitiakitanga, tino rangatiratanga, aroha, pono and tika – through the programme.
"It is a part of us. It runs through our veins," says Charmaine.
Lesley McIntosh, GM Community Outcomes of Sport Tasman, says the initiative represents a journey on the Rangatiratanga sliding scale of capability, supported by Sport Tasman through various phases over the past 24 months.
"The programme was rooted in collaboration and idea-sharing from the outset and forming early relationships with Whakatū Marae and alternative education providers. Sport Tasman provided hands-on support, guidance, mentoring, and connections in the early stages."
"To meet the needs of rangatahi, adjustments were made to the programme and the overall vision of Mahia te Mahi along the way. Sport Tasman now watches from the sidelines, witnessing the success driven by Whakatū Marae," she says.
Ryan and Charmaine agree they've seen big changes in the participating rangatahi. With some coming from troubled backgrounds, many of them went into the programme disengaged, lacking self-confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging.
Charmaine says the programme has allowed rangatahi to reconnect with whenua, taiao, and moana and be fully engaged in the programme.
"It has had a 100 percent success rate in getting rangatahi reintegrated into the regular school environment - an incredible outcome," she says.
South Island funder Rātā Foundation supports the programme through its RARA partnership with Sport Tasman.
Ryan says Rātā has been a massive supporter of Sport Tasman, and they could not do what they do without that support.
"They have given us the opportunity for rangatahi to co-design and lead this project themselves."
Rātā Foundation Chief Executive Leighton Evans says the Mahia te Mahi programme "aligns strongly with our focus on improving wellbeing by ensuring that people who face barriers to participation in active recreation and sports can engage and benefit".
"It also helps strengthen the wider youth and active recreation sectors to help them deliver effectively to rangatahi while increasing collective knowledge of the importance of active recreation to our young people," he says.