By Aktive
Published on Monday 8 September 2025
Registrations are now open for Iwi of Origin 2025 – an event celebrating whakapapa, whakawhanaungatanga and wellbeing through physical activity.
Whānau Māori are being called to step into their rangatira space, whether it be taking part in the activities, celebrating the kaupapa or reconnecting with their roots. At Iwi of Origin, there is a place for every rōpū: Rōpū Whānau; Rōpū Hapū / Marae / Iwi; Rōpū Hapori; and Rōpū Matawhānui.
The Event spans two days, with Friday 17 October being an invite only rangatahi kaupapa day, while the main whānau day for the public is on Saturday 18 October. Both days take place at Bruce Pulman Park, Takanini, Tāmaki Makaurau.
Now in its 18th year, Iwi of Origin promotes health and wellbeing among urban Māori through sport and physical activity, as Māori, with Māori, for Māori way. The 2025 Event features kaupapa Māori games such as kī o rahi, urutomo, and taonga tākaro, celebrating Māori movement and mātauranga alongside mainstream sports like poitarawhiti (netball), pā whutupaoro (touch), poitūkohu (basketball), and more.
Aktive’s Māori Participation Manager and Iwi of Origin Event Producer, Mere Rangihuna, encourages those who whakapapa Māori to take part.
“Iwi of Origin is an opportunity for Māori to come together to celebrate Te Ao Māori, where in this day and age whānau, in particular rangatahi, are more vulnerable to disconnection. In the spirit of kotahitanga, Iwi of Origin supports participation at all levels,” says Rangihuna.
Well known partners across Aotearoa will lead the delivery of each code, including Te Papa Takaro o Te Arawa, Tāmaki Makaurau Poitarawhiti, Te Hiku o Te Ika Māori Rugby, Tāmaki Makaurau Poitūkohu, Counties Manukau Māori Rugby League, Māori Football Aotearoa, Pūmanawa Āwhina, Mātātoa and Toi Tangata.
Hineamaru Ropati, Member of the Iwi of Origin Māori Advisory Rōpū, says that 2025 prioritises the participation of rangatahi in this year’s Event.
“While it remains open to the whole whānau, our focus is our young people. We want rangatahi to take charge of their hauora through play and sport, which we know is an effective way to improve health and wellbeing of our Māori communities. Mā te tuakana e tōkita te teina, mā te teina e tōtika te tuakana,” says Ropati.
The extension of the Event to two days allows more opportunities for whānau and community to take part in the kaupapa, of significance the invite only rangatahi focused Friday.
“Our hope is that our whānau take the mauri of Iwi of Origin home with them and that they keep moving, keep connecting, and keep uplifting each other through whakapapa in action,” says Rangihuna.