Shortness of breath couldn't stop IronMāori Aketaunga Pureau

Aketaunga Pureau, of Napier, received a 2018 New Zealand Respiratory Achievers' Award on Thursday after competing in last year's IronMāori Kaumātua. Photo/Supplied

A Hawke's Bay woman with a respiratory condition has received an award for overcoming physical challenges and a fear of the water to compete in an aquathon.

Aketaunga Pureau, of Napier, received a 2018 New Zealand Respiratory Achievers' Award from the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ at a ceremony in Wellington on Thursday night.

Pureau, who was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) five years ago, received the award for her management of the condition, becoming a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme trainer and competing in last year's IronMāori Kaumātua aquathon.

The recipient said she was ecstatic and overwhelmed to get the award.

"How do you describe a feeling like that? It was an amazing, amazing experience."

The recognition was also a way of acknowledging and raising awareness of many other people who manage COPD without letting it affect their lives, she said.

Pureau's daughter, Karen Nooana, entered her in last November's IronMāori aquathon two weeks before the event to help her be less limited by her condition and overcome a fear of the water.

Nooana said she had regularly competed in triathlons and wanted her mother to experience the same feeling of achievement.

"I wanted to get her out of her comfort zone.

"I feel very proud of my mum, I couldn't be happier."

With the assistance and coaching of a respiratory nurse from Breathe Hawke's Bay, Pureau finished the aquathon and will be competing again this year.

Breathe Hawke's Bay nominated Pureau in the awards.

Pureau at first she was annoyed with her daughter for entering her in the aquathon but it changed her life.

Seven years ago she nearly drowned at Mount Maunganui and she had been scared of the sea since.

"I never wanted to go near the water again."

However, competing in the aquathon gave her the confidence to overcome her fears as well as showing her she wasn't limited by COPD.

"I now have a totally different relationship with the water, I feel comfortable with it."

She uses exercise to help manage her condition and regularly goes aquajogging.

The Respiratory Achievers' Awards honour the accomplishments of New Zealanders living with a respiratory condition.

Respiratory Achievers' Awards winners:

Cody Forbes Award For Courage – Chloe Crump, Tauranga

Asthma 5-12 years old - Mayim Hartley, Palmerston North

Asthma 13 -18 years old - Ben McCallum, New Plymouth

Asthma adult - Cybele Souza, Christchurch

COPD – Aketaunga Pureau, Napier

Other respiratory conditions – Inosandreia Nesi Tike, Auckland