A new short-form video series – He Manuao – is set to launch next week, offering a powerful glimpse into what’s possible when taitamariki are supported to lead and design their own solutions.

The four-part series showcases the broader and deeper impact of a one-off, youth-led fund that helped to remove barriers many young people face when accessing sport and physical activity – presenting a compelling case for funders, policymakers and community leaders to consider community-led approaches to funding.

The first episode follows the journey of He Manuao, the taitamariki leadership group and the process behind the fund. The remaining episodes feature three taitamatāne from Pawarenga, Kaitāia and Te Kao, providing an intimate and personal look into what gets them moving, keeping their taha tinana, taha hinegaro, taha wairua and taha whānau well.

Launched under the Taikorihi Locality in partnership with Native Sports Performance, He Manuao Subsidy Fund was developed to support the health and wellbeing of Te Hiku taitamariki, subsidising costs like fees, uniforms, transport and gear.

The fund invested $35,450 directly into taitamariki-led solutions, supported 50 young people across 12 distinct communities and funded 26 different activities.

Whānau and community members celebrated the release of the series at a special premiere event in Kaitāia on Monday night, sharing the impact this fund has had on taitamariki as decision makers, and how the fund has directly improved access to sports and physical activity for young people in Te Hiku – addressing financial barriers and pathways to better health in the Far North.

Speaking at the event, a grandparent of one of the participants who received the fund, said it was heartwarming to see activities that aren’t often highlighted as sport or physical activity.

“We know diving, hunting and kapa haka are some of the things that a lot of our mokopuna and our whānau do in their everyday life... it’s beautiful to watch what that looks like through their eyes and to see what it takes to do the things they love to do.”

“I want to acknowledge the work that has been done to build the confidence of these individuals, particularly our young men here in Te Hiku,” said another whānau member who attended on the night.

One parent also thanked He Manuao for the support it had provided as a sole income-earning parent.

Māori Systems Innovator of Healthy Families Far North, Elizabeth Motu, said the series captures how our health systems, funders, and investors can drive equity, wellbeing, and long-term collective change.

“Tonight has been a really special occasion where we’ve been able to invite everyone involved, from design to delivery, and to celebrate what it means to be from Te Hiku.” she said.

“First and foremost, I want to thank our taitamariki who led and designed this fund for their community. Hearing what this fund has meant for some of our whānau here tonight is a testament to their commitment to ensuring it reached those hard-to-reach places that sometimes get forgotten.

“I also want to thank our three taitamatāne and their whānau for allowing us to come into their homes and for trusting us to share their stories. Lastly, to Native Sports Performance, for trying something different and for leading the way when it comes to supporting taitamariki-led solutions that reflect their lived realities and aspirations.”

“We now know that by shaking up the status quo, and by doing things differently, we can better support the long-term health of our young people,” she added.

Healthy Families Far North hopes He Manuao sparks deeper conversations about what equitable investment truly looks like, encouraging more partnerships that enable whānau and taitamariki to shape the systems that affect them.

The first episode of He Manuao is out on Monday 21 July, with a new episode released on Thursday 24 July. The remaining two episodes will follow the week after via the Healthy Families Far North website and social media pages.

To learn more, share the series, or explore how you might support similar approaches, visit healthyfamiliesfarnorth.org.nz or get in touch.

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He Manuao was filmed by Matavai Taulangau and directed by Quishile Charan, with story direction and creative development by Healthy Families Far North.

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