There’s a bicultural journey happening among New Zealand’s Regional Sports Trust (RST) network.

That journey is guided by Brandon Manuel, the Māori systems innovator for Healthy Families Ōtautahi – supporting community-led change to reduce chronic illness in priority populations.

Read more: 

• Navigating more than the ocean​​​​

Brandon is also at the forefront of Te Kāhui Māori, which supports the RST network to enhance cultural competencies and implement Te Tiriti o Waitangi more effectively.

“At present, my role involves supporting the Māori-lead and Te Kāhui within the RST network to complete actions in the work plan and contributing to the development of a Te Tiriti o Waitangi framework to support RSTs in better honouring our obligations to Te Tiriti o Waitangi,” he says.

“I’m identifying conditions within the work programmes that can be used as levers to improve equitable outcomes for communities that Te Tiriti o Waitangi underpins.”

So, how does this shape Brandon's approach in utilising the six conditions of systems change?

He says giving better effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi will encourage systems change and “shift conditions such as policies, practices and resource flows”.

“Additionally, this will hopefully pave a pathway for RSTs to strengthen relationships with mana whenua in our respective rohe.

 

“The hope is that the mahi from this network will increase the level of RST’s accountability to Te Titiri o Waitangi and equitable outcomes for Māori.”

 

Through the RST network’s collaboration and desire to succeed, Brandon says there’s genuine support for Te Kāhui Māori’s Kaupapa.

 

“Systems change doesn’t happen overnight; this statement hopefully serves as a gentle reminder that it’s a journey and for those in communities to have grace and self-compassion when things don’t feel like they’re moving.”

Article added: Wednesday 17 July 2024