Patu founders and advocates including (from left) Jackson Waerea, Levi Armstrong, Joe Henare, Richie Koroi and Mottz Gillies at the opening of Patu Kaikohe facility. PICTURE/DEBBIE BEADLE
Patu founders and advocates including (from left) Jackson Waerea, Levi Armstrong, Joe Henare, Richie Koroi and Mottz Gillies at the opening of Patu Kaikohe facility. PICTURE/DEBBIE BEADLE
The Patu fitness movement continues to enjoy strong growth in the Far North judging by the interest generated at the opening of a new facility in Kaikohe last Saturday.
Patu Kaikohe spokesman Richie Koroi noted approximately 50 people turned up at the gym site, the unused building of the NorthernRural Fire premises (formerly the old dog pound), for the opening ceremony, while the training/ fitness regime will get under way seriously on Monday this week.
"It was a meke weekend up in the Far North opening up another Patu site," said Koroi, adding a big mihi to all the whanau who helped make this happen and to those who have supported the Patu kaupapa from day one.
"We started from very humble beginnings in 2012 with a couple kettlebells and a bit of passion to help whanau fight not just health issues but the social issues that surround our people," he said, adding the Patu Aotearoa was a concept designed to create a social impact through fitness and health. It also, perhaps more importantly, represented a vehicle for social change.
"To spread our kaupapa across the Bay and now to the mid north is massive. Patu is a vehicle for social change. All I can say is stay strong - if you believe in something so much, don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise."
