Tēnā koutou katoa. Ko Tara Ikinofo tōku ingoa. He uri tēnei nō Ngāi te Rangi me Waikato Tainui. Hau au he maaga fulufuluola ko Maolagi Alofi i Niue. Nō reira, tēnā tātou.

I was part of the fourth intake of the Sport NZ Graduate programme (2016-2017) after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Sport and Recreation Management from the Auckland University of Technology (2015).

The graduate programme provided me with insight into and knowledge of the sector from a governance, national, and regional perspective and helped me identify areas of interest for my future career. I completed my year two placements at Sport Bay of Plenty and Bay of Plenty Rugby Union. The opportunities to network and engage with various people throughout the sector was a valuable aspect of the programme.

Since completing the programme, I have developed professionally in and out of the sport sector through various roles and organisations, including Aktive Auckland Sport and Recreation, Te Whānau o Waipareira, and Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency.

I am currently the Projects & Development Manager at Waka Ama NZ.