On Friday 15 August, more than 80 people came together to celebrate the exciting new elements of the ENGAGE kaupapa developed over the past few years:
- Our new te reo Māori name: Kia Takatū ki te Tākaro
- Our new Whakapuāwai framework, aligned with Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- Our new te reo Māori ENGAGE cards
Jimmy McLauchlan (Kaiwhakawhanake Pakihi | Chief Development Officer, Methodist Mission Southern) spoke about the values/aronga of Kia Takatū ki te Tākaro and the meaning behind this work:
The kaupapa is guided by six interconnected values/aronga, each represented in the Whakapuāwai framework:
Te Tiriti o Waitangi – the deep roots anchoring our kaupapa Mātauranga – knowledge drawn from both mātauranga Māori and Western science Whakawhanaungatanga – relationships that nurture mokopuna, kaiako and whānau Haerenga – every journey of growth is unique Ako – we are both teachers and learners, sharing knowledge Tākaro – play and joy as pathways to hauora
Together, these values help mokopuna, whānau and communities to grow, learn and thrive. 
Anne Denham (He tātāriki) ENGAGE Implementation and Practice Lead, provided an overview of ongoing research into Kia Takatū ki te Tākaro, ensuring it will be developed with and for Māori. A small roopu of ENGAGE Māori researchers are exploring what adaptations and resources are required to effectively implement ENGAGE in Kaupapa Māori educational settings.
Mitchell Denham (Te Rarawa), ENGAGE Facilitator and Researcher, shared some of the learnings from this research so far.
Mina Prip Kaiūriki (Whakahaere Kaupapa) ENGAGE Facilitator, spoke about how three generations of her whānau are connected to the ENGAGE journey — with her mother (at 83 years young) translated the cards and inspired the te reo name, while her son Waiari, created the beautiful Māori patterns featured on them.
Each domain was brought to life through rich Māori symbolism:
- Emotional – Hue: invoking calm and rhythm through gourds
- Cognitive – Manu Tukutuku: kites that represent skill, focus, and learning
- Behavioural – Tīrairaka: the fantail, agile and persistent
Special thanks to ENGAGE founder Dione Healey, Otago Innovation CEO Dave Christensen, and all who have shaped this kaupapa – and the team at the Methodist Mission Southern for their hard work and success so far at implementing ENGAGE in ECEs.
It was wonderful to test our own focus, listening, and emotional recognition skills through some games during the hui — a true celebration of what ENGAGE brings to tamariki across Aotearoa.
Ngā mihi to Araiteuru Marae for hosting us. 
Thanks to the talented team at Cre8ive Marketing for bringing the designs to life in the cards, manuals and website work.