He Oranga Poutama (HOP) – “Stairway to Wellbeing”, promotes the development and implementation of play, physical recreation and sport in a way that is culturally appropriate to Māori.

He Oranga Poutama is a Sport New Zealand led programme that supports Māori well-being through play, sport and active recreation.

There is a strong emphasis on increasing participation and leadership as Māori in play, sport and traditional physical recreation at a community level, with Kaiwhakahaere participating as leaders in their community.

He Oranga Poutama investment is intended to strongly centre on Māori cultural distinctiveness and support community leadership and participation grown in sport and recreation as Māori. Engaging with whānau, hapū, iwi  will ensure we maximise the potential of increasing Māori participation and leadership ‘as Māori’.

Sport Hawke’s Bay is committed to genuinely engaging with Māori by supporting Māori aspirations in physical activity and internally providing cultural capability to ensure staff engagement with Māori is appropriate and culturally sensitive.

Sport Hawke’s Bay is committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and values Māori cultural distinctiveness, supports community leadership and participation growth in play, sport and recreation as Māori. We recognise that a strong and secure cultural identity helps facilitate access to wider society, as well as being vital to overall wellbeing and affirms the validity and legitimacy of Māori knowledge and ways of doing things. We acknowledge that Māori will maximise their potential when they are able to participate and succeed in Aotearoa and the world as Māori.