Learning the Kiwiway
More than 70 people from the English Learning Partners School are learning how to adapt to the New Zealand way of life.
People from the school are attending a sixweek programme run by Sport Manawatu¯’s green prescription team and the Manawatu¯ Horowhenua Tararua Diabetes Trust.
The aim of the Kiwis Healthy Lifestyle Programme is to provide support to ‘‘new Kiwis’’ in Manawatu¯, by teaching them about adapting to the Kiwi way of life through healthy choices.
The programme consists of two parts. The first is an educational seminar, run by the diabetes trust that covers topics like sleep, primary health services, medications and pharmacies, oral health and mental health and wellbeing.
The second part is an active session run by Sport Manawatu¯.
Last week the group had a go at playing backyard cricket. Smiles and laughter filled Te Marae o Hine / The Square as they picked up the bats and balls and began playing.
Sport Manawatu¯’s health team leader and green prescription advisor Katrina Gemmell said: ‘‘Seeing first-hand what a positive impact this programme has had on this community has been incredibly rewarding.
‘‘Being able to work with this group and watch them become more confident in managing their health and wellbeing over the weeks and years that we have been working with them is really special.’’
After attending the programme, 98.5 per cent of participants said their confidence had increased when managing their health and wellbeing.
Jacqui Thompson from the diabetes trust said the new Kiwis were delightful to work with.
The programme has been running for five years and some come back every year.
The programme continues to be reviewed and improved yearly based on feedback from participants.