Community spirit revived with free Zumba classes for families and elders

Zumba is making a community comeback in South Auckland as local health provider Total Healthcare, and the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board team up to offer free classes for local families and kaumātua.

On 2 July, Total Healthcare PHO, in partnership with Local Doctors and the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board, officially launched the new community initiative.

Apulu Reece Autagavaia, chair of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board, says the free Zumba classes provide benefits beyond just fitness.

He says the idea originated from community needs after the board removed seating and a playground to address antisocial behaviour, which stripped the elders of a safe place to gather.

“This is a multi-outcomes approach that the local board is happy to support,” Apulu says.

“This initiative was born out of the idea that because we closed down the playground, we removed the seating around the TAB at the Ōtara Town Centre.

“Those elderly people that gathered there still needed to gather in a safe place and do safe activities, and so this is one of those initiatives that have come out from that.”

The partnership is part of a wider effort to tackle major health inequities experienced by Māori and Pasifika communities, which face lower life expectancies and higher rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular.

In Ōtara, Pasifika make up nearly 79 per cent of the population, while Māori are the next largest group. The free classes aim to support healthy ageing by keeping elders active and connected while also creating safer community spaces and encouraging people to return to the town centre.

Finding partners willing to invest in South Auckland can be challenging, Apulu says.

“Often in South Auckland, it’s hard to find corporate sponsorship from different organisations, and so this is a really important step,” he says. “We’d love to see what else we can do with Total Healthcare and anyone else that wants to help us out with finding money for our community.”

Total Healthcare, which includes the Local Doctors network, is backing the classes with $15,000, while the local board has committed $5000 for the launch, promotion, and encouragement of diverse participation. Local Doctors will also recommend the sessions to their patients as part of their health plans.

Mark Vella, chief executive of Total Healthcare, says the partnership specifically addresses the poor health outcomes faced by Māori and Pasifika communities.

Total Healthcare/Local Doctors and the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board sign their partnership, showing two fingers for ‘Double the Local’. Photo/PMN News Mary Afemata.

He says the effort goes beyond exercise, but tackling underlying social factors that affect well-being.

“We are the largest provider to Pacifica in South Auckland and in Ōtara we cater to about 90 per cent of its population are our enrollees. … What came about with the idea of Zumba being the vessel… it was a pretty easy decision because apparently it was a thing some years ago in the area and was extremely successful.

“Now we’re very keen on embracing the psychosocial determinants of health. And this is a great example of that, where you’re addressing more than just physical needs. … So we’re committed to this long term. … We’re very keen on co-commissioning with the council to further both of our missions, which is toimprove the lot of the communities we serve.”

The project, titled ‘Double the Local Rua te Rohe’, is a partnership between two local organisations aimed at bringing more people into the town centre to engage in physical activity and reconnect with each other.

From left: Li'amanaia Lorenzo Kaisara, Community Manager for Local Doctors and local board member; Mark Vellaand Apulu Reece Autagavaia at the signing in Auckland, 2nd of July. Photo/PMN News Mary Afemata

The Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board emphasises that staying active and being social is crucial for healthy ageing, especially among Māori and Pasifika communities, where wellbeing depends on strong connections and regular movement.

Apulu says the closure of the Ōtara Youth Hub makes the creation of safe gathering spaces even more important.

Classes will be free and held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the Ōtara Town Centre, with a start date to be announced.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.