About Rangatahi Tu Rangatira

Rangatahi Tu Rangatira (R2R) is a programme that encourages rangatahi Māori participation in all sports and physical activities, with a particular focus on Māori games and the use of Māori values and tikanga.

Why was R2R set up?

R2R was set up to make a real difference in the health and physical well-being of our Māori youth.

What will R2R do?

R2R will:

• Increase the physical activity of rangatahi aged 13-24
• Incorporate tikanga Māori into physical activity
• Use taonga tākaro (Māori games) as an activator
• Promote pride in identifying as Maori and create a sense of belonging
• Share best practices and network with leadeing health providers
• Increase understanding about healthy life choices so rangatahi can make more informed decisions
• Focus on those who are currently inactive, disabled or living rurally.

How will R2R do this?

R2R will increase regional provider capacity and capability by:

• Implementing the Train the Trainer programme, 7 regions in 2010
• Providing follow up training and ongoing support, advice, networking, funding access and regional tournaments
• Sending electronic newsletters about events throughout the country
• Increasing awareness and knowledge of taonga tākaro

We will also undertake investigative research to:

• Engage with iwi at a local level
• Discover existing events and activities, 
• Help initiate new activities
• Develop relationship with the leaders of Māori sports
• Identify where there are gaps that need filling
• Identifying natural resources
• Identify and remove or minimise barriers to participation wherever possible

Contact us to:

• Learn more about Rangatahi Tu Rangatira or taonga tākaro
• Learn about, play and deliver Maori games in your area
• Engage with rangatahi who want to learn and play traditional Maori games
• Get more information about traditional games, local history or whakapapa
• Tell us about great physical activity spots, i.e. swim spots, hidden walks etc

Programme objectives

Increase levels of physical activity of rangatahi

• Develop and implement Rangatahi Tu Rangatira based on traditional Māori games
• Consult with rangatahi, kura, tertiary education institutes, local marae, hauora providers and potential supporters.
• Regional ngā taonga tākaro training provided to leading health providers in 2010
• Increasing provider and rangatahi leadership capacity and capability

Decrease levels of sedentary activity of rangatahi

• Increase awareness and intrinsic motivation, enabling healthier lifestyle choices.
• Identify, minimise or remove barriers restricting participation, through education, promotion, advocacy and resource development and distribution
• Training and support for programmes encouraging regular physical

Increase rangatahi leadership

• Identify potential rangatahi leaders
• Provide leadership and mentoring skills wananga
• Role modeling tuakana / teina principals
• Provision of ongoing encouragement and support
• Promotion of various leadership styles

Apply Māori tikanga, principles and practices

• Support the revival of and strengthen the resurgence of traditional Māori games
• By use of te reo, karakia, pepeha, whanaungatanga, waiata, and haka
• Develop the understanding by rangatahi of the various models of health
• Continue existing health promotion policies (Kokiri Marae)
• Promote kaupapa based physical activity

Reduce unequal participation of rangatahi in physical activity

• Identify at risk rangatahi and create specialised programmes which target specific needs
• Gain support from CCS disability action group, Parafed Aotearoa and Special Olympics who will provide specialised guidance when planning for rangatahi with special needs.
• Adapt activities to ensure maximum participation when needed
• Identify, minimise or remove barriers restricting participation
• Promote leadership of rangatahi with special needs

Programme details

Rangatahi Tu Rangatira (R2R) programme supports providers and rangatahi in the areas of training, health promotion practices and sustainability.

Training

R2R provides training to providers, to increase capacity and capability, about:

• Taonga tākaro
• Leadership and mentoring
• Incorporating Māori values,
• Role modeling Māori tikanga and te reo Māori in physical activities
• Identifying special needs and minimising barriers to participation
• Identifying and developing resources

Health promotion practices

R2R provides information to providers and rangatahi about:

• Playing traditional Māori games
• Healthy food policies
• Māori models of health, i.e. E tipu e rea, Whare Tapawhā, Korowai Oranga, Te Wheke, Mauri Oho, Mauri Tau, Taiaha, Whānau Ora [link each term to more info]
• Smokefree playing areas and support for Aukati Kaipaipa [link to more info]
• Physical activity and nutrition benefits and guidelines
• Ngā rourou e toru and the four food groups healthy eating models
• Nutrients, their roles, benefits and sources
• Injury prevention
• Warm up and cool down principles

Sustainability

R2R will also:

• Increase awareness through marketing and promotion
• Evaluate and refine planning and processes (internally)
• Evaluate impacts of the programmes (externally)
• Facilitate inter-sectorial collaboration with community, government and commercial sectors
• Plan for growth into mainstream population
• Provide information about funding sources.