At Sport Hawke's Bay we recognise the role active recreation has in supporting rangatahi to be healthy and active. We are excitied to partner with Sport New Zealand to deliver this project focussed on achieving positive outcomes for rangatahi that are less active, or have more barriers to access within areas of high deprivation.

Within selected urban low socio-economic communities, we aspire to achieve the following: 

1. We increase the depth of our knowledge on the active recreation for rangatahi space 
2. The active recreation for rangatahi sector is connected and informed 
3. Rangatahi are engaged and empowered through quality active recreation 
4. Selected active recreation for rangatahi providers are stronger 

We are excited to have Jackson Waerea as our lead in this project. Jackson joined our Sport Hawke's Bay whānau in early July. He joins our team with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in community development.

In 2012 Jackson co-founded Patu Aotearoa, a kaupapa that uses physical activity as the vehicle to improve the wellbeing of whānau predominantly from low socioeconomic communities. The Patu kaupapa is now within 12 communities across NZ, being driven by the community for the community. 

Jackson also has experience supporting rangatahi through his mahi as a mentor for Te Ikaroa Rangatahi Youth Services, in which he mentored rangatahi referred to him by the Youth Justice System. 

For more information on the project please contact Jackson Waerea, jacksonw@sporthb.net.nz.