About us

Te Kākano Research Network is hosted by the Faculty of Health and Environmental Science at Auckland University of Technology (AUT).

In te reo (Māori language) Te Kākano means ‘the seed’ .Our research network is about nurturing the environment to grow the seed of innovative research. Poipoia te kākano kia puawai: Nurture the seed and it will blossom

Te Kākano is a research network with a difference

Te Kākano Research Network is a new and unique cross-sectoral, cross-discipline and cross-cultural initiative that will challenge traditional boundaries and mobilise the potential of physical activity and sport to drive wellbeing for all New Zealanders. We work directly with community and end-users to listen and understand their research needs. Our research incorporates co-design, participatory and implementation science methodologies to ensure the research is responsive, relevant and outcome focused.

Physical activity and sport are inextricably linked with New Zealanders' wellbeing through health, education, environment, social cohesion, cultural identity, civic engagement, transport and economic productivity. However, engagement in physical activity and sport is declining. There is a need for a pioneering, strategic multidisciplinary and multilevel research approach to increase our understanding of how to mobilise the potential of physical activity and sport to drive wellbeing for all New Zealanders, across the lifespan. We have conceived Te Kākano Research Network - together with our sector partners - as a collaborative research platform to address this need. As Te Kākano Research Network, we will become the incubator of ideas and prioritisation of world-leading research in collaboration with partners and stakeholders to unlock the potential of people, environments and innovative technologies, and evaluate the health, social, and economic benefit of physical activity and sport for all New Zealanders.

Purpose

Te Kākano Research Network represents the intersection of physical activity and sport research and the breadth of expertise of pre-eminent researchers from multidisciplinary and partner institutions. We are interested in expertise about: human movement and sport science, sport management, sport marketing, sport sociology, sport for development, Māori and Pacific studies, environmental science, population health and clinical sciences, health geography, psychology, built environment and design, economics, sociology, statistics, electrical engineering and computer science, political science and public health and policy.

Te Kākano Research Network for Wellbeing through Physical Activity and Sport will provide a platform for excellent and multi-disciplinary research.

We aim to:

• Create a connected and diverse network of researchers and stakeholders to advance physical activity and sport research for wellbeing
• Optimise impact and benefit of physical activity and sport research for wellbeing
• Build capability for Tiriti-based and equity-oriented wellbeing research in physical activity and sport
• Be recognised internationally for excellence in physical activity and sport research for wellbeing

To achieve our aims, the network will focus on:

• Building collaboration between academia, industry, public and community sectors
• Valuing and embedding Mātauranga
• Drawing on co-design and participatory processes
• Harnessing the intersection of knowledge across multi-disciplinary teams

Mission

Our mission is to enhance mana, connectedness and health through physical activity and sport.

• Mana - To enhance the strength, pride and identity of individuals and communities
• Connectedness - To enhance the positive links between people, culture and environment
• Health - To enhance the physical and mental health of all New Zealanders