A new community-led initiative is bringing movement, music, and mana (power) back to the heart of Ōtara, this time, with seniors at the centre.
Three times a week, the Ōtara Town Centre will come alive with free, fun group exercise sessions, designed especially for kaumātua and older residents.
The project is the result of a partnership between the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board and Total Healthcare Charitable Trust, South Auckland’s largest provider of quality primary healthcare to Pasifika, who saw a gap in accessible, regular exercise opportunities for seniors in the area.
The initiative, Double the Local – Rua te Rohe, aims to support healthy ageing by creating a welcoming space for older people to stay active, feel safe, and reconnect with others.
While staying physically active is key to ageing well, staying socially connected is just as important, and this initiative brings both together.
“Our goal is to make Ōtara a safer and more age-friendly place for everyone,” says board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia. “By offering free exercise in a visible, central space, we’re not only encouraging healthy ageing and social connection, but also bringing more positive community presence into the town centre. When more people gather for the right reasons, it naturally helps create a safer, more welcoming environment for all.”
Inspired by similar success in Māngere, the board looked for ways to bring regular activity to the town centre. That’s when Total Healthcare stepped up with $15,000 to help fund three weekly sessions. The board also contributed $5,000 for the launch, promotion and for resources.
The benefits are wide-reaching
- Doctors at Local Doctors Ōtara can now recommend the classes to their patients as part of their care plans
- local businesses may see more foot traffic
- and antisocial behaviour may decrease with more community presence in the area.
Total Healthcare CEO Mark Vella says this is about more than fitness, “We’re supporting the whole person - body, mind, and spirit, while helping create stronger, healthier communities.”
The classes will be open to everyone, but especially cater to Māori and Pasifika seniors, who experience some of the country’s highest rates of chronic health conditions. This programme is a step toward changing that.
Classes will be held at the Ōtara Town Centre every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Start date to be announced soon.
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