Celebrating connection, leadership, inclusion and positive experiences across Counties Manukau.
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This edition brings together highlights from our schools, communities, partners and people.
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A quarter powered by people and partnership
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In this edition, we pay a special tribute to Pat Spellman who was a valued member of our team who passed away recently, as well as celebrate the people and partnerships creating more opportunities for tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau to be active, connected, and confident.
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From inclusive movement experiences and culturally grounded play to leadership development and sector connection, the stories in this newsletter reflect the strength of collective action across Counties Manukau.
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A sincere thank you to our schools, volunteers, funders, community leaders, sector partners and CLM Community Sport whānau. Your commitment continues to create meaningful experiences and stronger pathways through play, active recreation and sport.
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Bernadette Tovio
General Manager, CLM Community Sport
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We begin this quarterly newsletter with heavy hearts as we acknowledge the passing of our much-loved colleague, friend, and member of our CLM Community Sport whānau, Pat Spellman, last week.
We know that many people across our communities are preparing to come together and farewell him in a way befitting someone who touched so many lives and made such a lasting impact.
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How do we begin to describe Pat? He was our storyteller, jokester, go-to MC, marketing and communications expert, entertainer, champion of our Language Week shared lunches, connector, hustler and so much more. Pat wore many hats, but what made him truly special was his gift for bringing people together, making them laugh, celebrating their achievements and ensuring their stories were heard.
Through his mahi at CLM Community Sport over the years, his longstanding involvement in touch and the wider sporting community, Pat built connections and friendships that extended far beyond his role.
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Whether he was behind the camera capturing special moments, on the microphone bringing an event to life, or quietly working behind the scenes to make things happen, Pat gave so much of himself to the people and communities he cared about.
Our team and the many others will feel his absence deeply. No words can fully capture the impact he made or the void he leaves behind.
As we reflect on the past quarter and share our team's mahi, we must begin by honouring someone who devoted so much of his time to showcasing the mahi and achievements of others.
Our deepest aroha and condolences are with Pat’s whānau, friends and everyone whose life he touched.
Thank you, Pat, for the laughter, the stories, the memories and the incredible legacy you leave behind. You were truly one of a kind, and we will miss you dearly.
Moe mai rā, Pat. Until we meet again.
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Celebrating movement, inclusion and achievement at Try Games
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Bruce Pulman Arena came alive as around 350 ākonga from Rosehill Special School and Kauri Flats School came together for adaptive sport, movement and fun.
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Activities included boccia, athletics, archery, football, balloon badminton, inflatables and more. Each experience was adapted so every young person could participate, succeed and shine in their own way.
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CLM Community Sport partnered with the schools to create a day centred on inclusion, confidence, connection and celebrating every achievement. AUT students, Botany Downs Secondary College, Papakura Rotary, Crime Patrol, Māori Wardens, local church groups and Co-Sign were among the volunteers and supporters who helped make the day possible.
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Kea Kids News also captured the inclusive spirit of the day, with young reporter Alex interviewing participants and sharing their experiences. Every participant received a medal for giving it a go.
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“Try Games created a space where ākonga could simply be their authentic self.”
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Pasifika Community Sport Fono: connect, uplift, empower
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More than 60 Pasifika leaders from sport, local government, community organisations and key agencies gathered at the MIT Pasifika Community Centre for an evening of talanoa, connection and inspiration.
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Caren Rangi ONZM spoke about leading through governance in a Pasifika context. Tagaloa Sonny Jr Samuela shared the global volunteer platform JustServe, while Mama J, Annie Johnson, offered practical funding tips and insights from her work with Foundation North.
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Vaovasa Albert William Scott from Haddon House brought the evening together with energy, humour and cultural expertise. The fono highlighted the depth of knowledge and leadership across Pasifika communities and created momentum for future connection and collaboration.
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CLM Community Sport acknowledges Foundation North for supporting the event.
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“Such a constructive evening connecting, learning, and filling the cup. Onwards and upwards.”
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Reflecting culture through play and leadership
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Year 7 and 8 ākonga from Te Hihi, Kereru Park Campus and Kauri Flats Schools joined AUT students for a day of tākaro celebrating culture, connection and play.
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Supported by the CLM Community Sport Healthy Active Learning team, student leaders shared traditional Māori games, explained their cultural significance and strengthened their leadership and communication skills.
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Through tākaro, ākonga connected across schools, built new friendships and experienced how culture, leadership and physical activity can come together in a meaningful way.
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Healthy Active Learning in action at Koru School
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Koru School and CLM Community Sport welcomed international visitors Datuk Nicol David and Marian de Reyes, co-founders of the Nicol David Organisation in Kuala Lumpur, alongside Veronica Thompson from the Asia New Zealand Foundation.
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Principal Stan Whata, Associate Principal Jocelyn Tuia, and team leads Matilda and Laurance shared Koru School’s Healthy Active Learning journey over the past five years.
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The visit showcased professional learning and development for staff, stronger play opportunities during break times and student leadership training that supports tamariki to get active alongside their peers. The visitors left with practical ideas and inspiration to explore in Kuala Lumpur.
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Learning and connection at the Healthy Active Learning National Hui
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Nearly 170 people from across the motu gathered in Ōtautahi for three days of connection, learning, sharing and thriving.
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The hui brought together nationwide health and physical activity workforces supporting early learning services, schools and kura. The focus was on how quality physical activity, healthy kai and inu wai can support the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi.
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Our Healthy Active Learning team returned with renewed energy and a kete full of knowledge to share through their mahi.
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Strengthening secondary school sport across South Auckland
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Regional Sports Director Junior Manapori joined 30 secondary school sport staff from 15 Counties Manukau schools at the 2026 Secondary School Sport Conference in Wellington.
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Across two days, the conference explored how to create a more connected, sustainable and effective school sport system with rangatahi at the centre.
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Key themes included student voice, strong leadership, collaboration, sustainable support for school sport coordinators, and the wider role sport plays in belonging, wellbeing and connection. The experience provided fresh thinking to bring back to secondary school sport across Counties Manukau.
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Practical learning for kaiako at PE HALO Days
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Junior and Senior PE HALO Days brought kaiako together from across Counties Manukau to strengthen quality Health and Physical Education experiences for tamariki.
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The Junior day explored play, child development, movement progressions, junior athletics and practical ways to integrate movement across the curriculum. The Senior day focused on inclusive practice, student-centred planning, athletics using the āhei app, and how play can support belonging, wellbeing and engagement for older learners.
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Kaiako valued the practical, hands-on learning and adaptable ideas they could take directly back to their schools, including approaches to better support neurodiverse tamariki and diverse learners.
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Mānawatia a Matariki: deepening our cultural journey
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The CLM Community Sport team experienced the beauty and significance of Ihumātao as part of its ongoing Te Ao Māori cultural journey.
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The experience began with a warm pōwhiri at Makaurau Marae and continued through a walk across the cultural landscape, guided by stories of tāngata whenua, whakapapa, resilience and connection.
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Creating tukutuku panels and sharing hāngī provided a meaningful close to the day. Ngā mihi nui to host Qiane Matata-Sipu, Makaurau Marae and Te Iho o Mataoho for their generosity, manaakitanga and hospitality.
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Leadership update: Community Leisure Charitable Trust
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George Makapatama has been appointed Chairperson of the Community Leisure Charitable Trust, succeeding John Latimer, who will continue as a Trustee.
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George brings experience across local and central government and works as a consultant for FakaFekauaga Catalyst. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Pacific Advisory Group for Oranga Tamariki.
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We thank John for his dedication and service, and congratulate George on his appointment.
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Looking ahead: from South Auckland to Japan
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Two members of the CLM Community Sport whānau represented Aotearoa at the Asia Pacific Touch Tournament in Utsunomiya, Japan, from 7 to 10 October.
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Jeza Clark, Community Sport Advisor, was Head Coach of the NZ Men’s 45s. Brian Adams, Youth Sport Advisor, will captain the NZ Men’s 45s.
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We are proud to see their experience, leadership and passion for sport represented on the international stage. We congratulate Jeza, Brian and the NZ Masters team of their selection to represent NZ for the Asia Pacific Cup tournament
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Thank you to every school, community partner, volunteer, funder and whānau member who contributed this quarter.
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Follow CLM Community Sport on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for community stories, opportunities and updates.
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