SearchCloseChoices stay in this browser. Hiding photographs simplifies the page; it does not prevent all image downloads.
Stories of Māori strength, knowledge and achievement — from everyday acts of care to the world stage.
20 stories to spend a little time with.
SportOlympic gold and Rugby World Cup success. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe is pictured celebrating recognition for her contribution to rugby.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
SportA champion on the water who also supports young paddlers at her home club. Dame Lisa Carrington is pictured receiving her damehood for services to canoe racing.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
HealthDr Matire Harwood’s work spans general practice and Māori health research. Here she is recognised for services to Māori health.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
HealthTe Puea Winiata is recognised for services to Māori and health, including her work developing community health and social services.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
CommunityMatahi Brightwell founded the Mareikura Canoe Club in 1985 and helped bring waka ama back into Māori communities. A sporting legacy built around people and connection.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
Dr Mahonri Owen brings engineering and mātauranga Māori together in research into neural prosthetics.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
Jessie Mellsop-Kupe of Ngāti Maniapoto took part in research into antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
At Pourewa, a community garden connects people with whenua and shares its kai freely with whānau and neighbours.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
Murihiku Marae’s redevelopment brings community spaces, learning and environmental care together for Waihōpai Rūnaka.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
Māori entrepreneur Marcus Thompson brings lived experience and invention together through his accessibility business, Whanauka Ltd.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
Naianga Tapiata’s scholarship achievement carries the strength of whānau, language, education and collective support.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
A Dunedin waka ama club tells how sport can bring identity, pride and generations of whānau together.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
Takatū brings gym classes, movement and sports initiatives into an iwi approach to wellbeing.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
Rupene Omahuru shares how Rūnāia helped him reconnect with whakapapa, marae and whānau. His lived experience became a way to support other people.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
IRONMĀORI grew from a vision of wellbeing across generations. Its own account puts whanaungatanga and manaakitanga at the heart of the journey.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
IRONMĀORI makes room for kaumātua, tamariki and rangatahi alongside its longer-distance events. Participation has more than one starting line.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
Te Piki Oranga describes a wahakura wānanga where whānau weave together and share whakapapa and kōrero.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
Te Puawaitanga ki Ōtautahi describes bringing wahakura and safe sleep support into whānau homes.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
Matahi Brightwell’s recognition honours a contribution to waka ama and community life.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
Hospice NZ’s Mauri Mate account describes a framework shaped by Māori concerns, including spiritual care and support through grief.
Explore the storyLast source check: 25 October 2026. Story themes describe intended audiences, not inferred identities or ages. Featured people are not site endorsers.
A story does not need a trophy. Sometimes the achievement is taking the next step.
Share your story