Rangatahi opportunities
Kia Hākinakina Wairarapa has a drive to fully align to both Te Rautaki Rangatahi o Wairarapa (the Wairarapa Youth Strategy) and the draft Nuku Ora Youth Strategy (to be adopted). A significant focus of both is that rangatahi voice is central to opportunity and design, in this case in sport, physical activity and recreation.
I Can Be Me: principles and models
I Can Be Me is a programme being developed by Kia Hākinakina, focussing on the significant social models and priorities that directly impact rangatahi and their experience of the world, in this case in the context of Sport, Physical Activity, Play and Recreation.
Strategy priorities
- Celebrating Who We Are
- Wanting to Be Active
- Feeling Safe
- Feeling Connected
- Protecting the Environment
- Having A Voice
- Being Supported and Supporting One Another
A Te Ao Māori youth framework
Nuku Ora are aligned to the Aotearoa New Zealand youth development peak body, Ara Taiohi, using their Mana Taiohi framework as a foundation for Active Recreation. The framework has evolved from the principles of youth development, has been informed by young people, and reflects a Te Ao Māori worldview.
For Kia Hākinakina, these principles are particularly important for community offerings:
- Mauri: values & skill development
- Hononga: connection
- Te Ao: systemic influences
Built on proven practice
I Can Be Me intersects the Kia Hākinakina range of principles (social and sport / play), which are significantly aligned to both Te Rautaki Rangatahi o Wairarapa and Mana Taiohi. These principles have been created through practical implementation of:
- Hellison's Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility
- Te Whare Tapa Whā (the Māori health model)
- Sport NZ Leadership
- Winnick's Continuum
- World Health Organisation principles of equity and young persons' well-being and physical activity
- Self discovery and exploration
- Safe, non-judgemental environments
- Game based skill acquisition
- Back yard & peer to peer learning
- Dynamic coaching
Adding to the body of rangatahi voice
I Can Be Me will have an initial focus on adding to the body of rangatahi voice in the Wairarapa, co-developing opportunities aligned to these insights. Through Nuku Ora a range of voice already exists, with key feedback including:
- Provide social opportunities
- Social connection and well-being
- Physical activity consistently available and well managed
- Opportunities are easy to access & fit daily routine
- Being well & healthy
- Feeling confident, and confident to participate
- Personal development / leadership
- Inclusive activities accessible for everyone
#GameInfluencers & Change The Experience Day
In 2025 Kia Hākinakina led the delivery of the #GameInfluencers and Change The Experience Day for rangatahi leaders and student coaches, with an emphasis on different perspectives on coaching: incorporating social competence, well-being and new opportunities to capture the rangatahi voice.
Pathway To Performance
A mentoring programme provided through Kia Hākinakina Wairarapa by High Performance Sport NZ Mentor Barry Hislop.
Ready to team up?
Drop us a quick message to chat about your goals, and we'll gladly map out the next play together.