Media Release
Friday 4 December 2009

Rodney Push Play Project a Success

A Push Play Neighbourhood project in Rodney involving Rodney District Council and a number of partner agencies has been placed second in the 2009 New Zealand Recreation Awards.

Rodney District Council collaborated with SPARC (Sport and Recreation New Zealand), Harbour Sport, Coast to Coast Primary Health Organisation, Harbour Health Primary Health Organisation, and ACC on the project.

The agencies came together in 2006 and agreed to work collaboratively to increase participation in physical activity and sport, provide more opportunities for people of all ages to be active and promote the benefits of physical activity.

Within Rodney, four communities were targeted as part of the project and three project coordinators were employed to work with the communities and partner agencies. The selected areas were South Kaipara, Warkworth, Wellsford and Mahurangi East.

The project ran over the course of three years and resulted in a number of significant achievements at a local level.

In Warkworth a pedometer challenge was run in 2008. A total of 610 people participated in the challenge out of a population of approximately 4,000. Businesses, schools and community groups signed up for this highly successful initiative.

In Mahurangi East, 14 five kilometre community walks were held last year with around 50 people attending each event. $850 was raised for the local fire brigade, and $1,000 for outdoor equipment for the new primary school. 250 people also attended a ‘Have a Go’ day which showcased local sports clubs and activity providers.

In Helensville, Tu Tangi Ora, the South Kaipara Collective formed to increase physical activity, organised a summer touch league in Helensville which has 200 participants.

In the far north of the district, the Wellsford Collective also organised a ‘Have a Go' day for local residents and the Collective has since become an incorporated society.

Many other initiatives to get communities more active were also developed as part of the project.

The Push Play Neighbourhood project was officially completed in June 2009, but a number of groups and initiatives developed as part of the project are still continuing at a local level.

Rodney Mayor Penny Webster says the Push Play Neighbourhood project is a great example of how agencies can work together and it is pleasing that the success of the project has been recognised at a national level.

“Some fantastic local initiatives came out of this project, such as the fundraising walks and pedometers challenge which inspired so many people to join in. We are hopeful that many of the projects which started through the project will continue in future years,” she says.

ENDS

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