Running hero keen to guide Polynesian health revolution

Peter Snell (left) and Associate Professor Hugh Morton examine a model of the human hand at Massey University, Albany, yesterday. Picture / Kenny Rodger

Peter Snell has turned revolutionary - and, he might find funding from an unexpected source to lead the fight.

Firmly in his sights are Maori and Pacific Islanders who he insists need to make radical lifestyle changes - including diet - if they are to ward off the very real threat of diabetes and associated health problems.

Dallas-based Snell, here for an intensive 10-day visit hosted by Massey University with much of his work in Palmerston North, is keen to lead the revolution.

"Massey will be a good fit for me," said Snell on his arrival in Auckland yesterday after three days of meetings in Palmerston North. "My field of expertise these days is in fitness and the exercise testing which goes with it.

"I want to make a significant contribution to health in New Zealand," said Snell, who, as a triple Olympic gold medallist, is still regarded as one of this country's greatest ever sportsmen.

"I would like to recruit a scientific team to work towards this.

"Polynesians and Maori are high-risk and have to be a priority."

Snell has already met Ra Durie, a sports medicine specialist in Palmerston North and who is well respected by Maori in Manawatu. Durie's uncle, Mason Durie is a professor and deputy vice-chancellor (Maori) at Massey and with Associate Professor Hugh Morton, is playing a key role in Snell's visit.

"The purpose of this initial visit is to explore collaborative research - real research - into science and what it can do.

"We have to come up with a research programme and then get the funding needed to make it work."

On that front, Snell is likely to explore funding initiatives in the United States.

"The Washington DC-based National Institute of Health could be interested in working with us. It is a major Government funding agency in the US and they have shown they are keen to be involved in this type of research."

Since his competitive days, Snell has been involved in lifestyle, fitness and sports science and a leading figure and now author of a book on such subjects.

There are plans for him to return for an extended stay in April-May next year but he "can't just up and leave my work at the University of Dallas".

He sees his role more as setting up and getting the programme off the ground.

"Massey are well set up to do that," said Snell. "I would like to recruit a specialist team to do this important work and then give whatever assistance I can."

While in Auckland, Snell will spend some time today with the Institute of Sport which carries his name.