LockerRoom: Traditional Māori games challenge our obsession with winning

"As Matariki invites us to reflect on the past, celebrate the present and look towards the future, there’s one question worth asking ourselves: What kind of tīpuna do we want to be remembered as?"

WISPA Board member Vanessa Mill (Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi), reflects on what she has learnt sharing, teaching, learning and, most importantly, playing Taonga Tākaro – traditional Māori games – with thousands of people across Aotearoa. The revitalisation of Taonga Tākaro led by wāhine Māori offers a blueprint to reshape inclusive leadership in sport and challenge our obsession with winning.

Read more here.

Originally published by LockerRoom on 22 July 2026.