Healthy Families Ōtautahi’s (HFŌ) lead provider, Sport Canterbury, has announced the appointment of Heperi Harris as its new Rautaki Māori Lead, marking a significant step for the Regional Sports Trust.

HFŌ was pivotal in the creation and appointment of this role, and the milestone reflects a broader commitment to Sport Canterbury’s cultural journey.

A respected leader with deep roots in Māori education and sport, Harris will officially join the team in mid-August.

Harris comes into the role after holding a position with Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa as their Senior Māori Evaluation Advisor.

He is already well-known to Sport Canterbury through his volunteer work with Kī o Rahi ki Waitaha and a report he produced around growing and supporting whānau-centred approaches of Māori-inclusive sports, physical activities, and clubs.

Harris has also served on Sport Canterbury’s Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa funding panel and is the Cultural Advisor for the Selwyn Sports Trust.

Before joining Sport NZ, he was the Academic Innovation and Research Māori Lead at Ara Institute of Canterbury and taught te reo Māori at Te Aratai College.

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Harris is a proud Chatham Islander with whakapapa to Ngāti Mutunga, Moriori, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Whātua, Ngā Puhi and Ngāti Pākehā.

"I will be forever grateful for their manaaki of me and my whānau. This role is, in many ways, my opportunity to give back, not just in words but through the mahi that I hope serves their aspirations, honours their mana, and supports their next generations as they step into their leadership journeys," Harris says.

"Being appointed to this role at Sport Canterbury is about more than professional alignment; it’s about kaupapa alignment. I have always believed that sport, recreation and play are not just vehicles for physical wellbeing, but platforms for transformation.       

"Transformation, where your identity is affirmed, where whanaungatanga is centred, and where the principle of tatū (for me, the idea of cultural and relational accountability) grounds us. That’s the kind of impact I hope to support through this mahi."

Harris says he’s excited about the chance to help drive meaningful change in Waitaha Canterbury - not just through policies or programmes, but by fostering a cultural transformation where diverse worldviews, particularly Te Ao Māori, are actively embraced and led.

"I bring a philosophy grounded in Mātauranga Māori, where we don’t just 'add' Māori elements to a strategy, we reshape the strategy itself through our values, stories and relationships.

"My vision is rooted in Hono, Whakaaroaro, Whakamana, Whakarite, Whakaū: a framework of connection, reflection, celebration, preparation and sustained action. It is not linear, but cyclical, like the narratives of Māui, constantly evolving, constantly returning with new insights and always in service of the collective.

"I am especially excited to give back to mana whenua, to the hapū and marae who have poured so much into me. Ngāi Tahu in particular have shaped my reo and my practice of tikanga, and now, it’s time for me to walk alongside them in whatever way I can."

Harris describes his leadership style as collaborative and supportive, saying he prefers to walk alongside others, creating opportunities, holding space and building platforms that empower the next generation to achieve more than those before them.

"I carry with me their whakaaro: Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei, not just for us but for the generations yet to come. That is what drives me.

"That is the vision I bring into this mahi, a future where Māori are not just participating but thriving, leading, and transforming the system, not just for us, but for those who are still on their way."

Harris’ appointment follows a strategic and collaborative process led by HFŌ Māori Systems Innovator Brandon Manuel, Lead Systems Innovator Lawrence Tau and Sport Canterbury Tamariki Lead Adam Gard’ner. Together, they recognised the need for dedicated Māori leadership at Sport Canterbury to support Māori communities while strengthening the organisation’s cultural capability.

This mahi culminated in the creation of a role focusing on building relationships with Hapū, Rūnanga, Iwi and Māori organisations, while guiding Sport Canterbury’s journey toward greater cultural competency.

The Rautaki Māori Lead role is a tangible outcome of Healthy Families NZ’s systems change approach, one that would not have been possible without HFŌ’s vision and coordination.

“We’re proud to have played a role in creating the conditions for this to happen and we look forward to seeing the impact of Heperi’s leadership across the region,” says Brandon.

“Heperi will be pivotal in guiding strategies and ensuring kaupapa meet the needs of Māori communities. Ultimately, our goals are to support the revitalisation of tākaro Māori and those delivering in communities.”

Article added: Thursday, July 17, 2025