November 17, 2020
Maori sports organisations get funding boost
For the first time Sport NZ Ihi Aotearoa will direct fund Maori national sport organisations as part of a new initiative to improve wellbeing outcomes for Māori.
Chief executive Peter Miskimmin says it has earmarked $7 million over four years from the agency’s $265 million COVID-19 sport recovery package to invest in organisations which contribute to Māori physical activity outcomes.
That’s on top of spending which already reaches Māori through a focus on high deprivation communities.
He says Māori are over-represented in obesity, cardiovascular, and diabetes statistics and have a lower life expectancy compared with non-Māori, but surveys have found almost a third do not participate in regular sport or recreational activities.
The plan includes supporting national Māori sporting organisations, increasing community-based funding, rolling out a digital tool to promote marae-based exercise sessions and a new Te Ihi fund which looks to increase Māori participation by supporting existing culturally distinctive organisations and channels.
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