November 18, 2014
Kapa haka inspires hapu fitness regime
North Waikato’s Ngati Tamaoho Trust is using kapa haka as a way to encourage hapu members to live a healthy lifestyle.
The trust has received a $10,000 grant from the Medibank Community Fund to support the programme.
Hero Potini from Te Awamarahi Marae says groups get together at various marae from Mercer to Papakura to exercise through kapahaka and enjoy a healthy meal together afterwards.
He says some groups use the grant to pay for kai, while others use it for members’ travel costs.
He says sickness affects the prospects of the whole hapu.
"We’re just trying to look for some positive rongoa, not so much in the pill form but the wairua form, that will help us achieve these visions for our people. We have too many tangi within our families, our immediate families, our hapu and our iwi, and a lot of family have to look at photos of loved ones within our tupuna whare. That is not a solid connection of whakapapa," Mr Potini says.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH HERO POTINI CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjQxMDM=
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