Tai Tōrua Whakatāne: Enabling positive change through health & PE

Primary and intermediate educators from the Eastern Bay of Plenty have connected around inclusive health and physical education practises thanks to a recent professional learning and development workshop.

The Tai Tōrua Whakatane workshop, delivered in partnership by Sport Bay of Plenty, Eastbay REAP, and Physical Education New Zealand (PENZ) at Te Whare o Toroa (Wairaka) Marae, provided a day of professional learning and connection centred on strengthening cultural and disability inclusion practises across physical activity.

Throughout the day over 30 participants took part in workshops led by Mataatua Sports Trust, Parafed Bay of Plenty, Halberg, Education Outdoors New Zealand and the NZ Health Health Education Association.

Jo Jackson from Parafed Bay of Plenty says teachers often want to be inclusive but they don't always have the confidence or tools to do so.

"DEI in physical activity gives everyone that opportunity to achieve and so there's that sense of belonging and not feeling like you are left out becuase you can't so something."

The workshop sessions highlihgted practical teaching strategies aimed at increasing the inclusion of disabled tamariki in physical activities and embracing cultural opportunities.

Kayden Thrupp from Mataatua Sports said the day of workshps provided a living example of incorporating Māori values such as whanaungatanga, kaitiakitanga and tino rangatiratanga into teaching practises. Alongside this, there was also an opportunity to incorporate Māori models such as Te Whare Tapa Whā.

"This can benefit our kids, especially in the physical education sector, as it covers not only the physical but our mental aspect as well."

The full day of workshops concluded with a waka ama session hosted by Mataatua Sports on the Whakatāne River.

"Using our natural resources and our taiao as a tool, can actually benefit our tamariki," explained Kayden.

From adaptive physical education to the value of outdoor learning and inclusive practises, attendees were encouraged to reflect, share and innovate. Vernei Mullen Healthy Active Learning Advisor at Sport Bay of Plenty, said the professional learning and development day was a great opportunity for teachers and kaiako in the Eastern Bay of Plenty to come together, connect and share learnings.

"Events like Tai Tōrua enable us to provide positive change through education and physical activity."

As a result, educators in the region have grown their kete of culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices around health and PE.

Sport Bay of Plenty extends its thanks to partners Eastbay REAP and Physical Education New Zealand (PENZ) for supporting the delivery of the Tai Tōrua PLD, alongside Mataatua Sports, Ngāti Awa/Ngāti Hokopū and Te Whare o Torua (Wairaka) Marae, Parafed Bay of Plenty, Halbergy and Sport New Zealand.

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