Recreation Aotearoa is an organisation who develop standards and best practice and benchmark best practice for the recreation sectors across Aotearoa.
Here is an opportunity to be involved with the development of a bicultural steering committee. The steering committee have a huge role to play in the feel and design of the Recreation Conference, this year the conference will be held on 16–18 November in Wairau (Blenheim). The steering committee is called te Rōpū Whakatere – this is a metaphor that will acknowledge what the rōpū will be doing, guiding, and supporting on the journey of achieving a bicultural governance for the conference.
The conference is expecting 250 delegates to attend over a two-day period.
The kaupapa discussed will be:
- Climate change and its impact on the natural environment and recreation provision and participation
- Deprivation and equity – recreation is for all
- Accessibility, particularly for communities with high deprivation, geographic isolation, and older adults.
- Technology and social media’s power to disseminate information and ideas and its influence as an alternative form of recreation
- Supporting and promoting the changing nature of recreation and the shift away from formally organised activities to more spontaneous, occasional, small group and individual activities.
- Positive impact of green spaces on wellbeing, and loss of green space to climate change and urban development coupled with greater demand on creating green sanctuaries in urban settings.
- Bringing the Treaty principles of partnership, participation, and protection to life.
- Working sustainably and collaboratively in the post-Covid world.
Te Rōpū Whakatere will consist of 8 people, 4 Māori and 4 non Māori. They are looking for 4 tangata Māori, who have a connection to the Wairau, either by whakapapa, or association. They are also seeking individuals who have a passion for recreation, who have experience in mahi rongoa, mahi taiao, mahi moana, mahi whānau, mahi hakinakina, mahi toi. Recreation from a Māori perspective is more than just mountain biking and running etc. Ngā mahi a te Rēhia it is a way of life, it is about engaging with the taiao and learning the narratives of that environment through lived experiences. Nō reira this opens this up to a wide range of people.
People who are selected will have some commitments, including attending a hui kanohi ki te kanohi on 11 May 10 – 3pm – travel expense will be covered as well as attending online hui.
If you are interested in this kaupapa please email Kuruho Wereta – Kuruho@nzrecreation.org.nz