The National Māori Basketball Tournament 2024 took place in Rotorua between 22 and 27 January. With 407 teams from 26 iwi and rohe across the motu battling it out on the courts, this annual celebration of sport, culture and te reo Māori was attended by approximately 5,000 people.
Recognising the rich opportunities that exist in sporting contexts such as this to connect with communities and to share the E Tū Whānau values which uplift and strengthen whānau, kaimahi Mōwai Smiler was kept on his toes throughout the event.
Basketball brings E Tū Whānau values to life
Celebrating the sporting atmosphere that everyone was there to enjoy, Mōwai was able to whakawhanaungatanga and foster relationships with whānau from across the country at National Māori Basketball Tournament 2024.
He used a range of E Tū Whānau resources to share the kaupapa and engage tamariki and rangatahi – as well as pakeke – in fun games and competitions.
“Team environments, where you’re working as whānau, are huge for Māori. Connection is there with our people. Kotahitanga and whānau are a big part of it and it’s uplifting when you’re there and in among it.”
Mōwai Smiler
“It was cool to engage with rangatahi in such a positive environment where Te Ao Māori is alive and being lived, where being Māori is great.”
Mōwai Smiler
Mōwai also spoke with those he connected with about how competitors and spectators can use the E Tū Whānau values to build and uplift the mana of others.
“One of the incredible things about E Tū Whānau kaupapa is that it’s trying to uplift our people through our tikanga Māori values. They’re beautiful values and you can’t fault them.”
Mōwai Smiler
Happening in a dedicated E Tū Whānau space, these kōrero – many of which were in te reo Māori – explored how Mana manaaki and Kōrero ahwi can be used to tautoko and uplift whānau and teammates.
Cultural richness at National Māori Basketball Tournament 2024
Recognising the transformative power of positive cultural celebration and connection, Poitūkohu Māori o Aotearoa / Māori Basketball New Zealand aims to “give Māori a chance to experience basketball as Māori with the values of Te Ao Māori.”
For many, this vision powerfully came to life at the event.
“At the stadium, there was this real strong sense that being Māori is great. It was such a positive environment where Te Ao Māori was being lived, and people were more receptive to E Tū Whānau.”
Mōwai Smiler
Want more?
Read these earlier stories of E Tū Whānau actively supporting whānau in sporting spaces:
- “Leaguies” leading from the front
- Rugby League adopts E Tū Tāne
- Touch NZ creates whānau-first kaupapa
- Touch supports healthy whānau
Visit Poitūkohu Māori o Aotearoa / Māori Basketball New Zealand on Facebook for more about the tournament.
