Whanau Fun Day with a serious message

A Whanau Fun Day, being held in the lead up to Gamblefree Day on 1 September, will take place tomorrow at Papakura Marae, 29 Hunua Road, from 10am until 2pm.

This special event is to raise awareness about problem gambling, family violence and other issues affecting our communities.

Nelson Wahanui, Problem Gambling Foundation Health Promoter, says the event aims to foster open discussion about some of the serious social issues that impact on our whanau and communities.
“The impact of problem gambling can’t be underestimated,” he says.

“One in six New Zealanders say a family member has gone without something they needed or a bill has gone unpaid because of gambling.”
“A single person’s harmful gambling can affect five to ten people, and children are particularly vulnerable when it’s their parent or other close relative.”

Safer Aotearoa Family Violence Prevention Network Manager, Raewyn Bhana, says it is a great opportunity for our community to get together at the event.

“We encourage people to come to the marae, the central hub that is theirs, to support our whanau. The event will raise awareness and educate our whanau about the information, support and community agencies that are available to help them with any issues dealing with whanau ora – family wellbeing,” she says.

The event will draw on the success of last year’s celebration that attracted hundreds of people.

All ages are welcome to this year’s event which will feature guest speakers, free food, fun activities, entertainment and prizes.

Activities include ‘pampering for women’, basketball shots, soccer goals, ‘crazy ball’ and more.

Entertainment will feature the regional winners from the Choice Not Chance Local Legends competition - a song, rap, poem and short story competition to celebrate Gamblefree Day.

The event is hosted by the Te Ngira (the Problem Gambling Health Promoters Collective), Papakura Marae, the Safer Aotearoa Family Violence Prevention Network (SAFVPN), and Choice Not Chance.

ENDS

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