The event was hosted by the Hokonui Rūnanga, which was one of the original research groups involved in the Māori-focused anti-fall initiative.
Taurite Tū project lead and trained physiotherapist Katrina Pōtiki Bryant said she started the project because she saw a need for community-based health practices for Māori.
Following waiata, karakia and other Māori traditions by Hokonui Rūnanga, she said the programme was tailored for Māori, creating a "safe space".
"[Māori] understand what we do," she said.
"[They’re] not going to challenge the way we’re always going to have a kai — our tikanga comes first."
Now servicing 30 groups across the country, creating a safe space was what caused the project to "take off", Ms Bryant said.
Raeleen Epere, of Dunedin, said after a bad fall breaking both her knees and other health problems, she preferred to go back to Taurite Tū.
The people were much more personable than her state-directed exercise group, Whaea Epere said.
"It’s like a whānau," Ms Bryant said.
The programme was initially, and continued to be, funded by Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) which wanted to improve the number of Māori accessing its service, she said.
Contrary to popular belief, tangata whenua were not making claims through ACC, Ms Bryant said.
"They’re very low claims, but very high impact of injury."
"It might not be the fall, but it’s the decrease in confidence and the decrease of activity.
"Here our whānau know they can come back to a safe space.
"They’ll get engaged into doing exercises and keeping as independent as possible and safe and strong."
After morning tea, the crowd was taught the new kapa haka-inspired stretches and strengthening exercises, with some participating from their seats.
WellSouth was also present, offering blood pressure and blood sugar checks as well as other information, and Fire and Emergency NZ was offering home fire safety advice.
