For the first time, Waka Ama NZ launches a Hauora Hub to paddlers to turn the tides with life expectancy for Maaori. 

A space that supports paddlers and spectators alike, the Hauora Hub is a partnership between Waka Ama NZ and Maaori health providers that include services like blood pressure checks, diabetes evaluation, Mirimiri and more. 

Te Hirahira Whakamana, a health provider for the National Hauora Coalition working at the Hauora Hub, said it’s great to have initiatives like the Hauora Hub to support athletes. 

“Rawe ki te tautoko i teenei rangi, otiraa, ki te tautoko i ngaa kaihoe ki konei me oo raatou hauora; hauora tinana, hauora wairua hoki me te whaanau.”

“Koia taatou, koia taatou katoa ngaa kaimahi o NHC e tautoko ana i teenei raa.”

Being a former paddler himself, Whakamana said the initiative provides an opportunity for waka ama competitors to consider their health and wellbeing in a broader context, extending beyond individual performance.

“Ko te nuinga o raatou e Tino pakari ana aa tinana, engari ko taa maatou mahi, me koorero ki too Tama e pai ana ia. Teeraa mea ngaawari, maamaa, ngaa koorero maamaa ki te noho pai, ki te koorero tika i waenganui i te whaanau. He mahi moo te hinegaro, he mahi moo te mauri, moo te wairua, eenei whaainga.”

With this year’s competition seeing just over 4000 paddlers compete, the Hauora Hub has partnered with the following health providers that impact Maaori, such as;

  • The Heart Foundation
  • ACC New Zealand 
  • Diabetes NZ 
  • National Hauora Coalition 
  • Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand and more,

Melanie Harris says it’s an opportunity for her to talk to Maaori mothers and the health of their newborns.

“We all have to ensure that we are making decisions today and making healthy choices today to ensure that our whaanau and the future will be healthy as well.”

Last year, Statistics NZ reported that Maaori life expectancy had increased to 75.8 years. Whakamana says despite that, there’s still work to be done, and waka ama is an opportunity for Māori to live healthier lifestyles.

Harris said that is the purpose of her work: to support and to pursue the goals of the family.

“What we have been trying to promote here is the fact we are tomorrow’s ancestors means that today’s decisions will impact the next generation.”

Health providers hope the Hauora Hub will return to the competition next year to keep supporting paddlers and their families.