Lifestyle programme wins Maori Sports Award

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ProCare-sponsored lifestyle programme wins Maori Sports Award

AUCKLAND – 11 December 2009 – A ProCare-sponsored lifestyle programme that provides sports activities and healthy eating strategies to Maori communities in Franklin has won the SPARC Hei Oranga Poutama Best Community Initiative Award at this year’s National Maori Sports Awards.

The Marae Hauora programme –developed jointly by Huakina Development Trust and ProCare – promotes healthy lifestyles for whanau from local marae through organised physical activities, such as walking, aqua aerobics, tai chi, bowls and a ballroom dancing competition called “Dancing with the Marae Stars.”

The programme started two years ago with the appointment of kaiwhakahaere (lifestyle coordinators) at eight Tainui marae throughout Te Puaha o Waikato. Today, more than 150 people a month participate in the exercise, nutrition and healthy lifestyle programmes.

“ProCare is committed to improving the health of Maori and building sustainable healthy lifestyles,” said Nicola Young, ProCare’s Health Promotion Manager. “The work with Huakina Development Trust is a very important partnership that ensures community independence is nurtured. This programme has already made a big difference for many whanau.”

Livaine Ratu, project coordinator for Huakina Development Trust, said: “Maori have on average the poorest health status of any ethnic group in New Zealand and Franklin is no exception. This programme aims to bridge the disconnection between people and health services that often happens when community structures break down or small groups are isolated.”

Next year the programme will focus on employing more kaiwhakahaere to work across 11 marae and to link with the Whare Oranga programme, which provides primary care on three of these marae.

The awards were presented on Saturday during a black-tie ceremony in Manukau.

ENDS

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