Hastings men getting heavy about health

When you hear someone is biking from Hastings to Wellington you're more likely to picture Lance Armstrong than Les Hokianga.
One of 12 cyclists arriving in Wellington today, Mr Hokianga and many of his fellow travellers weigh in at more than 100kg.
The group were to arrive in Wellington today, having cycled almost 300km in three days to present Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia with Mr Hokianga's EIT wellbeing project.
Day one was the hardest. Saturday saw them pushing into a strong headwind and with more than 120km to cover at times they were even having to pedal downhill.
The group's camaraderie kept them going, Mr Hokianga said.
Part of the third year of his sport and recreation degree required him to develop a health programme, and he decided to help those most at risk.
Mr Hokianga's father died at the age of 49 of type 2 diabetes and complications of obesity. The loss inspired Mr Hokianga to work towards improving the health of his community.
"It's about being here to see your grandchildren grow up," he said.
Last year Mr Hokianga weighed 150kg. He had lost 28kg since then and competed in the IronMaori Half-Ironman.
He was not the biggest of the group, some weighed more than 200kg, and changing a lifetime of habits took more then telling someone to eat well and exercise.
"You've got to make changes that are possible. If someone eats six pies and drinks a litre of Coke for breakfast you can't change that right away," he said. "You might say 'Mate, maybe have two pies and a small Coke'."
The weight loss programme was based around Maori ideas of health and wellbeing and was about more than just weight. Maori ideas of wellbeing centred on four ideas - psychological, spiritual, physical and family. Mr Hokianga talked to the people on his programme about what was happening in their lives and used traditional Maori music to help people relax.
The programme had been life changing for those involved. A year and a half ago Daryl Mohi weighed 130kg, he now weighed about 100kg and was motivated by the men bigger than he is.
"These guys are my inspiration," he said. "If they can do it surely I can. We've all got individual stories but we all support each other. We've got a good whanau here."
Their influence was rippling into the community. Tuariki Tiaiti's workmates started cycling to work.
"They couldn't believe the change in me. It's really good to be an inspiration."
There have been lots of long rides, to Wairoa and back, and the team felt prepared, if nervous, for the trip but some have had to drop out with injuries. Mr Hokianga said at times, especially on the first day, he felt they might have bitten off a bit more than they could chew but today they had just 70km to go, and it was a beautiful day in Otaki. "I'm amazed what the human body can endure."
A support team including medical staff and someone from Avanti were travelling with them.
And the group challenges were not over yet.
"If we can do this we can do the next thing," he said. "We talk about these ideas over coffee and they get a bit scared when we go to the coffee shop now."
Mr Mohi joked that they all got worried by the look in Mr Hokianga's eye, but really they welcomed the ideas.