Whakapapa

Mataatua Sports Trust was formally registered on 9 December 1998 with the mandate of respected kaumātua from across the rohe. Inspired by the vision of Matiu Te Pou, the Trust emerged to engage rangatahi through sport as a pathway to education, wellbeing, and positive life outcomes. The organisation transitioned from a voluntary initiative to a registered Trust when funding from the Hillary Commission enabled the delivery of HEHA and smoking cessation programmes.

As national sport agencies shifted from the Hillary Commission to SPARC and later Sport NZ, new opportunities supported the Trust to expand into Māori-led sport and cultural activities, including taonga tākaro and the development of He Oranga Poutama. Mataatua Sports Trust was the second iwi provider nationwide—following Te Papa Tākaro o Te Arawa—to secure HEHA funding, strengthening our role in delivering kaupapa Māori approaches to sport and wellbeing.

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At Mataatua Sports Trust, we promote traditional Māori recreation activities and encourage active, healthy lifestyles for whānau. We work alongside whānau, hapū, kura, and iwi to create meaningful experiences that strengthen identity, connection, and overall wellbeing. Through our mahi, we champion tikanga and Kaupapa Māori perspectives, ensuring our programmes and initiatives are delivered in ways that reflect our cultural values, traditions, and aspirations for thriving Māori communities.

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