Creating space to play
The power of play was on full display at the King Country Rugby Union 2026 Te Rohe Pōtae Kura Māori Rā Whutupōro Festival, where 28 teams came together for a day focused not on winning but on belonging.
Held as the culmination of a wider kaupapa supported by the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa fund and administered by Sport Waikato, the carnival reflects months of in-kura delivery across the region.
For King Country Rugby, the initiative began with a simple but important realisation.
“As we looked across our region, we realised some of our tamariki weren’t getting the opportunity to participate,” says Josh Standen, King Country Rugby Union Rugby Manager. “So, the vision was simple: create space for them to just play.”
Traditional sporting pathways can unintentionally exclude young people—particularly those new to sport or lacking confidence. Age-grade structures, competitive selection and performance expectations can become barriers rather than enablers.
The carnival flips that model.
There are no trophies. No points tables. No winners.
“We’ve gone away from playing for a trophy. There’s no scoring system driving the day; it’s just about participation, fun and giving things a go.”
This shift has created a safe, inclusive environment where tamariki of all abilities can take part without pressure. For many whānau, the impact has been immediate.
One parent shared how his daughter, who doesn’t enjoy sport, came home inspired after participating through her kura.
“She doesn’t really like sport, but she came home excited because she got to represent her kura. That meant everything to her.”
A key driver of success has been the delivery of regular sessions directly within kura, forming the foundation of the programme. These sessions removed common barriers such as transport, cost and confidence while building familiarity ahead of the carnival.
One kaiako (teacher) told us the in-kura sessions opened up pathways for tamariki who weren’t always confident — those who would usually stand back and watch, are now participating and giving it a go.
By the time students arrive at the event, they feel prepared and empowered.
“They turn up knowing what they’re doing,” says Josh. “Because we’ve been able to go into the kura and teach and support them.”
Beyond the field, the carnival creates a vibrant community space, bringing together whānau through kai, music and shared experiences, with te reo naturally used throughout the day, strengthening cultural identity and connection.
This initiative has been made possible through Tū Manawa funding, which supports community-led opportunities to increase participation for tamariki and rangatahi.
“Funding like this allows us to go into kura and build those relationships and then bring it all together for a day like today,” Josh says.
Click here to read the complete 2025/26 Te Rohe Pōtae 'Kura Māori - Ra Whutuporu' case study.
Find out more about the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund here.
