Over 100 girls take part in Kōtiro Day of movement and fun

Kōtiro Day is more than a one-off event. It signals a shift toward making movement accessible, enjoyable, and lasting for girls. By celebrating the many forms of physical activity and linking kōtiro to local pathways that support lifelong hauora, we create space for their strengths to grow and for movement to be part of their everyday lives.

This month, more than 100 kōtiro from eight schools across the Whau area came together at Ken Maunder Park to move, play, and discover new ways of being active.

Across the day, the girls rotated through a circuit of activities indoors and outdoors - from dodgeball, basketball, and football to Te Kura Maninirau (Māori circus) and HULA Fit. Each station offered a chance to build skills, try something new, and celebrate the different ways movement can be expressed and enjoyed.

Kōtiro Day recognises the strength and potential that girls already carry and creates a space for that to shine. With variety and choice at the heart of the event, the day highlights that being active is playful, creative, cultural, and social. It’s as much about expression and connection as it is about being physically active.

“Kōtiro Day is about creating space for girls to explore movement in ways that feel fun, safe, and exciting,” says Helen Ng, Whau Cluster Coordinator for Sport Waitākere (now Tuia Waitākere). “What we saw today was girls encouraging one another, trying new things with confidence, and discovering activities they might not otherwise try. That’s what it’s all about – encouraging our young people to back themselves, explore their strengths, and recognise there are many ways to enjoy physical activity and movement.”

Helen says the day also connected kōtiro with clear pathways beyond the event. “If a girl really enjoyed HULA Fit, or Māori circus, there were people on hand to point them toward local classes and groups where they could keep going. It’s important they know these opportunities don’t end when the day does — they can be part of their everyday lives.”

For the kōtiro, the chance to explore new activities was a highlight. “I liked that we could try so many different things,” says one participant. “I’d never done hula before, but I gave it a go and now I want to keep practising. It was cool that everyone was cheering each other on.”

Teachers also noticed the impact. “These kinds of days are so valuable,” one teacher reflected. “You see students who might normally hang back stepping forward, laughing, and encouraging their friends. It opens their eyes to new opportunities and shows them that being active can take many forms.”

When kōtiro are supported to explore, connect, and lead in movement, it builds lifelong wellbeing, strengthens whānau, and contributes to healthier communities.