South Auckland leisure centres helping kids eat healthy

It didn’t take long for staff at Allan Brewster Leisure Centre to notice the change. “It took no more than a month before all the kids were enjoying the new healthy meals being provided,” says Faatuai Stuart, recreation programmer for the Out of school care (OSCAR) programme. “One parent later came up to me and […]

Recreation Aotearoa 2020: Driving pacific participation in sport and recreation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQdjLbfcpy8 Motivating Pacific people to be more active in the communities where they live, work and play is a top priority for Healthy Families South Auckland.  Lead Systems Innovator, Fila Fuamatu, was a panel speaker at Recreation Aotearoa Conference 2020, a two-day online conference which explored the impact of Covid-19 on the recreation sector across […]

Hungry for knowledge? Te Ahi Kōmau brings indigenous kai to the forefront

The inaugural Te Ahi Kōmau- Food, Fire, Festival set South Auckland alight over two-nights with soulful waiata and smokey and juicy indigenous kai bringing traditional Māori and Polynesian culture to the forefront at Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae. The free whānau-friendly festival was attended by over 1000 people which was designed as an opportunity to celebrate South […]

Niue land skiing at Favona Primary School

The Village Games movement continued during Niue Language Week (18 October to 24 October), with pupils from Favona Primary School playing traditional Niue games, watch the video here. Favona Primary School, Vahega Vagahau Niue (Niue language class), were taught Toho Toume (land skiing using the outer layer of a coconut) and Sika, (where sticks are […]

Local Māngere preschool get active through traditional village game

Mataliki Tokelau Akoga Kamata in Māngere East is a Tokelau language preschool whose mission is to ensure Tokelauan language is to be spoken, encouraged, and nurtured for their children. As part of the celebrations for Tokelau Language Week, 25 – 31 October, staff and their kāinga (family) played Ano, a Tokelau traditional game.  Watch Mataliki […]

Culture and community – all part of Tuvalu’s traditional games

Tuvalu Language advocate Kelesoma Saloa and the Niutao Community Trust shared two Tuvalu traditional games with Healthy Families South Auckland as part of the Village Games movement. Te ano (gaming ball) and Fuu Fuu Penu were played by members of the Tuvalu community during this year’s Tuvalu Language Week. The theme for Tuvalu language week […]

Why reenacting traditional games is good for our wellbeing

Mike Tipene, from He Oranga Poutama, loves sharing his knowledge of traditional Māori games in South Auckland and across the Tamaki Makaurau. “Part of my role is working with Māori communities to deliver sporting opportunities and to create new ones,” says Tipene. “We’re also in spaces that aren’t Māori oriented, but they want to experience […]

Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae hosts first ever Te Ahi Kōmau – Food, Fire, Festival

Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae’s first ever Te Ahi Kōmau – Food, Fire, Festival will celebrate South Auckland’s volcanic past, its legacy of rich soils and amazing produce, as part of Auckland’s Elemental AKL festival in October. Te Ahi Kōmau kicks-off Friday 30 October at 5.30pm with delicious hangi, early access to the Marae Market of entrepreneurs and […]

Te reo remains key for health and wellbeing

Honouring the role te reo Māori can play in hauora or wellbeing is one of the key focuses at Ngā Whare Waatea Marae in Mangere. Bernie O’Donnell of Nga Whare Waatea Marae and newly elected Chair of Manukau Urban Māori Authority, says the free weekly Te Reo Matahīapo classes can be the beginning of a […]

Revitalising traditional Tongan games – Hiko & Heu

Two traditional Tongan games were revitalised recently by the Fe’unukoula Academy of Tongan Arts, Dance and Culture (Fe’unukoula Academy) in celebration of Tongan Language Week, as part of the Village Games movement by Healthy Families South Auckland. Hiko and Heu are two traditional Tongan games that were demonstrated and explained by Milika Pusiaki, Tufutele Finau […]