January 17, 2026

Strength and Balance Helping Whānau Recover Faster at Waka Ama Nationals

Matthew Tukaki Posted On January 17, 2026

A Christchurch couple say a kaupapa Māori strength and balance programme has helped them stay active, recover faster from injury, and continue doing what they love – supporting and paddling waka ama alongside their whānau.

Marcia and Tahu Stirling, from Rāpaki Marae in Lyttelton, are in the Waikato this week attending the 2026 Waka Ama Sprint Nationals at Lake Karāpiro. While there, they visited the Hauora Hub, where ACC is running Community Strength and Balance classes throughout the event.

Just a week before travelling north, Marcia suffered a fall while gardening at home, tripping in her driveway and injuring her arm and knee. Despite that, she’s been walking comfortably around the lake this week, supporting her whānau competing at the nationals.

Marcia credits her quick recovery to Taurite Tū, a strength and balance programme she and her husband attend regularly at Rāpaki Marae.

She says the programme helps strengthen the body, improve balance and awareness, and prevent more serious injuries – while also being enjoyable and social.

Falls are the most common cause of injury in Aotearoa, accounting for nearly 40 percent of all ACC injury claims, with most occurring in the home. Each year, one in three people over 65 is injured in a fall – rising to one in two over the age of 80.

For Tahu, the benefits of Taurite Tū go beyond physical health.

He says the programme provides connection, laughter, and motivation – helping people stay engaged in their recovery and committed to staying active.

Both Marcia and Tahu, now in their seventies, are keen waka ama paddlers. They are Chair and Treasurer of Kai Ngaru Waka Ama Club in Christchurch and are also members of Te Waka Pounamu Waka Ama Club in Lyttelton. At this year’s nationals, Tahu is paddling with his son for Hoe Aroha Whānau o Mauao Waka Ama Club, while Marcia is supporting from the shore. Tahu and Marcia Stirling – final. During the week, ACC staff and partners are running Community Strength and Balance classes at the Hauora Hub, led by Di Johnston from Midland Pharmacy Group, focusing on balance, strength, aerobic fitness and cognitive function .

ACC Deputy Chief Executive of Strategy, Engagement and Prevention Andy Milne says the classes are about more than exercise.

He says they’re about connection, confidence and helping people stay active so they can prevent injury and continue doing the things that matter most – including time with whānau and involvement in sport.

ACC is also hosting a Whānau Zone at the event, offering a space for supporters and paddlers to relax and learn more about injury prevention and recovery services. ACC data shows Māori are less likely to access ACC entitlements, despite being more likely to experience serious injury, making community events like waka ama an important opportunity for engagement and awareness.

The Waka Ama Sprint Nationals run from 11 to 17 January at the Mighty River Domain, Lake Karāpiro, bringing together whānau from across Aotearoa to celebrate sport, culture and wellbeing