Two new roles with Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti: Coast-based staff to help young stay active

ACTIVE ON THE COAST: Victor Herbert and Rawinia Parata will encourage active recreation and community cohesion on the East Coast in their new roles with Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti. Picture supplied

Two new Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti staff will be based on the East Coast, supporting efforts to keep tamariki active and contribute to community well-being.

Rawinia Parata is joining the team as a “community connector” and Victor Herbert is an active tamariki adviser.

The appointments will extend the reach of Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti up the Coast and chief executive Stefan Pishief said they were a milestone for the organisation.

“The East Coast has a proud sporting heritage and a beautiful, natural environment that encourages active recreation,” he said.

“But the remoteness of its communities and a historical lack of infrastructure and investment have created barriers that can make it difficult for people to connect and engage in sport, active recreation and play.

“For the past few years, we have been looking at the services we provide and identified there was an opportunity to have more of a presence on the Coast and ensure we are being responsive to all of Te Tairawhiti.”

Parata was raised in Ruatoria and will focus on play, active recreation and sport aspirations of communities and how this contributes to well-being.

Pishief said she had a “real desire for community-led development and has experience in supporting people to achieve their goals”.

Herbert hails from Tokomaru Bay and has taught and worked in Ruatoria.

“He has a wealth of experience and strong connections, which will prove critical to his role of supporting kura up the Coast to provide quality play, active recreation, sport and physical education opportunities for tamariki.”

The pair will be based at Ruatoria.

Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti general manager Kylie Turuwhenua-Tapsell said the new staff would have a positive impact on the Coast community.

“Nothing beats having a presence on the ground, and Rawinia and Victor will be able to have a lot of face-to-face time with whanau.

“We need to acknowledge the fantastic support we've received from Te Puni Kokiri, the Department of Internal Affairs, Te Ruunanganui o Ngati Porou, Ngati Porou Hauora, Sport New Zealand and Project Matarau to get these roles up and running.”