Whanganui men step up for the ultimate beard challenge

Manahi Cribb starts his beard growing from scratch. Photo/ Stuart Munro

Manahi Cribb celebrated his 26th birthday with the ultimate challenge.

Thursday marked the first day of Men's Health Month, kicking off Tane Hauora Collaborative's 30-day calendar full of events to help men talk about "what matters to them".

Mr Cribb joined 52 other bare faces at Mitre 10 Mega to sign up for the first event - the beard challenge.

Over the space of a month the "com-beard-itors" will attempt to grow the "beard of all beards" and raise awareness about the importance of men's health.

Mr Cribb, who has grown a beard since he was 15 years old "since he first could", said it was all for a good cause to represent our men.

"I guess because it's a little bit harder for us men to open up, it's a chance for us to focus a little bit more on supporting men," he said.

Healthy Families Whanganui partnership and engagement coordinator Julie Herewini, who is helping organise the events, said it was about getting men from all walks of life to come together and engage with others.

"It is a great way for us to get behind the men of our community. So far there has been lots of traction and social media has helped that," she said.

Mitre 10 Mega was also getting behind the cause encouraging all male staff to participate.

Mitre 10 Mega marketing manager, Toni George, said a lot of the staff were joining in on the Whanganui competition as well as participating in an internal one.

"Our boss, who has never grown a beard in his life, is doing it and challenging everyone else to do it...so he's letting the scruffy look fly for this month," Ms George said.

Whanganui District Health Board promoter Karney Herewini said there will be an award for the best beard and the "best attempt beard".

Judging will take place June 30 at Cook Gardens before the final event, the Man Challenge.