Local gym tops in excellence

Hikoi 4 Life CEO Les Hokianga with the national community award.

Community gym Hikoi 4 Life in Hastings has won the Community Excellence Award at this year's Exercise Industry Awards.

The national award recognises excellence in the fitness and exercise industry, and comes as a welcome surprise for the team.

The founder of Hikoi 4 Life, Les Hokianga, said the award has only validated the importance of the service they provide to the community.

"The award vindicates all our mahi, we're just chipping away in the background," said Hokianga.

The gym offers a variety of programmes that cater for everyone from two to 82.

The philosophy behind the gym is to be more than a gym, but a community centre - a place where people can go and feel comfortable, achieve their fitness and all without breaking the bank.