Gift to hapu makes healthy lifestyles easier

Gift to hapu makes healthy lifestyles easier

Taking the steps towards a healthier lifestyle is now much easier for hapu from Waiaua marae, with the gift of free gym memberships.

Hapu challenge participants from Waiaua marae received free 12 week gym memberships from the Whakaatu Whanaunga Trust.

The hapu challenge is run by Mataatua Sports Trust with support from Bay of Plenty District Health Board and aims to help people make a change towards a healthier lifestyle by making healthy eating and physical activity choices. Waihi Leabourn from Mataatua Sports Trust is the Kaiwhakahaere (co-ordinator) for the hapu challenge.

There are currently 24 people who have chosen to participate in the hapu challenge and they are 6 weeks into their 12 week programme. “We bring the whanau together and make it fun and competitive, which then helps them motivate each other,” says Waihi.

Once a week, participants meet at Youth and Whanau Activity Centre for Zumba fitness, power training and a korero about health topics. Power training instructor, Edward Delamere says “All I ask is that they give me their best, and I keep pushing them to do their best.”

“The gym is a new experience for a lot of us. We are really enjoying ourselves and there’s always a lot of laughter. Long term, I hope that a lot of us will continue coming to the gym once the programme has finished,” says participant Ces McGough.

“It’s an awesome opportunity. It gets me moving and it gets the kids moving too,” says participant, Tania Te moni.

As the challenge progresses, a big difference can be seen in the participants. “They are more active and have more energy to do more things,” says Waihi.

At the end of the hapu challenge, there is a final weigh in and prizegiving for participants.

Photo: Participants of the hapu challenge doing Te Zumba at the Youth and Whanau Activity Centre in Opotiki.

ENDS

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