Back to top anchor
Close main menu
Open main menu Close main menu
RUNA

Yachting New Zealand launch new RŪNĀ module

Issue date

Yachting New Zealand are excited to announce that registrations for the second RŪNĀ module, Kōrinorino – in our ancestors' wake, are now open.

This follows on from the success of our first module, Kōkōkaha – harnessing the power of the wind, which was released in 2021. 

The RŪNĀ schools' engagement programme is a vital step in Yachting New Zealand's strategy to integrate boating and yachting clubs into their wider community, strengthen relationships with schools and kura and create a sense of Whanaungatanga.

This work is supported by Sport New Zealand’s Strengthen and Adapt (S&A) project, which aims to create unique and significant opportunities to assist with driving change and to help create a stronger sector for the benefit of New Zealanders into the future.

Yachting New Zealand are rolling out a three-year S&A plan that will set RŪNĀ clubs up to sustainably run school engagement programmes and build deep and meaningful connections within their local areas. 

Natalia Groom, Yachting New Zealand's new RŪNĀ Kaiwhakahaere – education lead, is leading the implementation of this programme and is no stranger to the importance of creating connections in the community. 

“Having worked within the not-for-profit sector for over five years, I have seen the importance of relationship building in communities to create resilience," she said. "Boating and yachting clubs are no exception."

"We can collectively make a huge difference to how people perceive yachting and really add value to the places and people we are connected to."

There are three modules in RŪNĀ.

"Kōkōkaha guides students to learn about the engineering and science side of the sport, Kōrinorino is really exciting as it looks at the history of sailing and the stories of our local places, and the final module due to be released next year is Moanamana, which looks at the conservation of our oceans and how we can play our part in protecting Papatūānuku," Groom said.

Both Kōkōkaha and Kōrinorino offer sailing experiences to complement the work students do in the classroom. You can learn more about it in the video below.

Yachting New Zealand have identified a number of clubs referred to as tier one RŪNĀ hubs, which are clubs equipped with the capacity and equipment to run all three modules. Yachting New Zealand will focus on supporting these clubs to make the most of the outcomes this programme can offer.

Support will also be given to tier two RŪNĀ clubs, which are clubs that may deliver only one or two of the modules. This support includes additional information and training for volunteers and staff and help clubs create a roadmap to identify and achieve their goals in this area.

Yachting New Zealand have been developing a coach development programme to support RŪNĀ clubs, which will be run by coach development manager Kirsten Moratz. This will include things like in-person workshops, resource packs and/or online training webinars. 

Groom has been in touch already with many of the tier one and tier two RŪNĀ clubs, but if you’re interested in learning more about how your club or know of a school you would like to get involved, please email natalia@yachtingnz.org.nz.

For more information on RŪNĀ, see here