More than 280 ākonga/students gathered in Motueka on Thursday to celebrate movement, culture and connection at the third annual Matariki Games.
The event brought together years five and six students from across the area, with mixed teams formed across kura/schools to promote whanaungatanga/connection and collaboration.
Sport Tasman Healthy Active Learning advisor Kate Hailes says the day is about far more than physical activity, with a strong focus on hauora/well-being and cultural learning.
Seven taonga tākaro/traditional Māori games were played, each linking to Māori stories and values. These included Kī-o-rahi, a fast-paced ball game grounded in pūrākau/traditional stories, alongside Tapu Ae, Haka Riki, Pūkao, Horo Hopu, Tī Uru and Ariki.
Kate says the games help build understanding of values such as kaitiaki/guardianship, manaaki/hospitality and kindness, kotahitanga/unity and aroha/love.
A key part of the day was the leadership of year seven and eight physical activity leaders, who organised, ran and refereed the activities. The students have been trained by Sport Tasman and supported by teachers to deliver games and lead physical activity in their kura.
Organised by Motueka South School, with support from Lauretta Haskell, the event is now part of the inter-school calendar.
Schools attending included Tapawera, Ngatimoti, Riwaka, Brooklyn, Parklands, Motueka South School, Lower Moutere, Murchison, Māpua, Motueka Steiner and Mahana.
The event began in 2023 as a pilot to build leadership skills and give students experience running a large-scale event. After growing in 2024 and a weather cancellation in 2025, it has now expanded to include kura from across the region.
Kate says the goal is for the event to become self-sustaining, with schools continuing to lead the kaupapa/programme.
Whānau/family support was strong throughout the day, and Kate reckons it was wonderful to see them so supportive and involved.
She says that the aims of the event were achieved, with tamariki/children active, engaged and building connections, while interest continues to grow among schools wanting to develop their own leadership groups.
