19 Sep From Tūrangi to CrossFit: A Journey of Houora & Māori Health Leadership. Jason Tahi, Growing the Puna Intern 2024
Ko Tongariro te maunga
Ko Rotoaira te moana
Ko Ngāti Hikairo te hapū
Ko Te Wharerangi te tangata
Ko Jason Tahi tōku ingoa
I was raised in Tūrangi by my mother, who was born and bred Ngāti Tūwharetoa. Every child in Tūrangi was my cousin. I come from every marae. My principal marae, Otukou, was more like a postcode; everyone knew our whānau was from “over the hill” at Rotoaira. I spent most of my childhood getting into mischief with my cousins at our papakāinga situated at Poutu, on the shores of Lake Rotoaira. I grew up in a whānau of horse riders and hunters, though I didn’t inherit those traits. Instead, I was born with intuition, a desire to learn, and a drive to excel in whatever I choose. My whānau love me for that.
As a rangatahi, I was shipped off to Hato Paora with eight cousins as part of a movement in Tūrangi to send a large group to kura Māori in 2002. I have lived in Palmerston North ever since. In 2014, I completed a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition & Exercise Science at Massey University, marking the start of my Hauora journey.
My first role was with Rangitaane o Manawatū, where I secured funding from Te Pou Matakana to establish a Pou Hākinakina. The role had two key focuses; working with whānau engaged in Whānau Ora to improve hauora outcomes, and facilitate healthy lifestyles as part of the Tāne Ora Alliance (TOA) kaupapa, created for Tāne Māori in the Manawatū rohe (watch the Toa documentary here).
My time as Pou Hākinakina was the catalyst for pursuing what has become a passion for improving hauora for our people drawing on what is already inherent within them – mātauranga Māori. I currently do this as Senior Advisor for the Pūhoro STEMM Academy, a by Māori, for Māori and with Māori capability pipeline for rangatahi into STEMM across the secondary, tertiary and industry sectors. My heart mahi is working as a CrossFit Level 1 Coach at CrossFit Mana in Palmerston North where I have the privilege of utilising some of my skills and experience to give athletes the best hour of their lives every week.
Currently, I am a part-time first-year student studying a Master of Health Science, specialising in Māori Health. For my thesis in 2026, I plan to explore culturally-responsive CrossFit kaupapa and investigate how these kaupapa influence the participation, enjoyment and overall well-being of Māori participants. These kaupapa, namely Mātātoa in Tāmaki Makaurau, Kahumaiwhiti in Te Matau-a-Māui and Te Whare o Hiwa in Te Papaioea, are currently on the rise and I hope to provide research that can empower these kaupapa to thrive and expand.
I’m incredibly fortunate to be a recipient of the Growing the Puna internship with Toi Tangata. Having followed the kaupapa for years, I now have the opportunity to learn from mātanga in this space. When I came across the internship application I knew it was a great chance to use what I learn to inform my thesis. On day one of my internship, I attended the Māui Hianga wānanga at Hoani Waititi in Auckland, where I got to experience an array of Tākaro Māori. While I haven’t decided on my internship focus just yet, I hope to incorporate tākaro Māori into a workout facilitated by myself with Te Whare o Hiwa. I plan to collect and analyse quantitative and qualitative data, creating a video and report for the internship, and ultimately using this to inform my thesis.
Jason Tahi
Jason Tahi is a Growing the Puna 2024 intern.