Hundreds meet for Taurite Tū games

An Ōtākou strength and exercise programme with a uniquely Māori kaupapa has flourished into a national movement.

The massive growth of Taurite Tū was shown yesterday as about 250 pakeke (adults) and kaumātua (elders) from across New Zealand met for the inaugural Taurite Tū games, held at the Unipol gymnasium in Dunedin.

Taurite Tū is a strength and balance exercise programme for Māori over 50, combining physiotherapy with traditional Māori exercises.

Project lead Otago University School of Physiotherapy associate dean Māori Katrina Pōtiki Bryant (Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu) said it was a dream come true to see participants from across the country gather to compete.

The games were based on the programme and promoted whakawhanaungatanga (making relationships) between Māori from across Aotearoa, she said.

"These whānau are from all over, from Whangārei down to Bluff.

"For many of them, it’s the first time they’ve been [to Dunedin] ... I think they’re just going to be so blown away by being with each other."

While there was plenty of healthy competition, participants were quick to support each other, Ms Pōtiki Bryant said.

"To see them being happy and being active and animated, this has just elevated our kaupapa to the next level."

Ms Pōtiki Bryant said the programme was founded at Ōtākou Marae and began in 2018 — aiming to prevent falls, common among elderly Māori.

"Because we developed a kaupapa Māori research methodology, it was easily translatable into all of the other areas. So now we have 13 North Island groups and 13 South Island groups doing Taurite Tū on a weekly basis."

Fifty kaimahi (instructors) and another 50 volunteers were part of the celebration. There were also stalls providing healthcare and traditional Māori medicine, music and massage.

Temuka kaumātua Susan Reihana (Pare Hauraki, Pare Waikato) said she was thoroughly enjoying herself.

She had come with a group from South Canterbury’s Arowhenua marae — they were already talking about returning for future games.

"We just love it ... a lot of us, we kinda felt isolated at home. But when we have collective activities like this, it’s just motivated us to just get moving, to take care of our mental, physical and intellectual wellbeing."

The games’ Māori kaupapa made her feel connected to other kaumātua, Mrs Reihana said.

"Tātou tātou — you, me and all of us, let’s come together and let’s learn."

ruby.shaw@odt.co.nz