Why we need more IronMāori

Ko Mātaatua, ko Tākitumu ngā waka. Ko Otukani ko Oringi ngā maunga. Ko Mōtu te awa, ko Whakakī te moana. Ko Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, ko Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa ngā iwi, Ko Hikarukutai, ko Ngāi Te Ipu ngā hapū. Ko Sharron Fabish tōku ingoa.

Napier’s Sharron Fabish graduated from the University of Auckland this week after finishing her research into the benefits of IronMāori, an indigenous triathlon.Sharron graduated on Wednesday with a Master of Education.

She was one of 20 students from Napier, and 34 from the Hawke’s Bay, to take part in the University of Auckland’s Autumn Graduation - one of New Zealand’s largest celebrations of academic achievement held between May 7 and 11.

For her research Sharron followed the experiences of IronMāori participants to explore in-depth how the initiative enhances wellbeing for Māori communities.

“I chose to do a Master of Education because from a kaupapa Māori perspective and as a Māori researcher, the intent of my research was to contribute to better outcomes for Māori,” she says.

“Māori, on average, have the poorest health status of any ethnic group in New Zealand. Initiatives like IronMāori play an important role in reducing this disparity by promoting good health and wellbeing. It was the normalisation of the Māori cultural concepts, beliefs and values within this sporting initiative that had the greatest impact. The inclusion of whanaungatanga (sense of family connection) and manaakitanga (support, hospitality, kindness) meant their identity as Māori was enhanced, which in turn lead to a greater sense of wellbeing.”

The next IronMāori half ironman event is to take place in the Hawke’s Bay in December.

Passionate about both Māori health and education, Sharron now works with school leaders and teachers in the Hawke’s Bay and Manawatū regions, as a professional learning and development facilitator with Te Puna Wānanga in the Faculty of Education and Social Work.

“I am passionate about equitable outcomes in education and the completion of my Masters has helped me to support leaders and teachers to do this more effectively, particularly in the area of meeting the needs and aspirations of Māori learners and their whānau.”