Well Wāhine Week opportunity to connect, be active

Well Wāhine Week 2023 featured yoga/pilates and will do so again for the 2024 edition which runs from March 8 to 17 and will feature a wide variety of activities. File picture

The Well Wāhine health and wellness event is back for its fourth year.

Sport Gisborne Tairāwhiti has teamed with local providers to celebrate International Women’s Day and bring 10 days of activities focused on wāhine health, movement and wellness.

From Friday, March 8, to Sunday, March 17, over 30 activities will be on offer, ranging from whānau fitness, yoga and rugby to badminton, surfing and line dancing.

Providers will deliver free sessions for women, girls and gender diverse people to connect and be active in a safe, inclusive and fun environment.

These events will happen in spaces and venues across Gisborne and up the East Coast.

“We look forward to this time of year when we bring together all sorts of wellbeing, fitness activities and seminars” Sport Gisborne Tairāwhiti active communities adviser Sarah Pocock said.

“The feedback from participants has shown us that it’s all too easy for wāhine to deprioritise activities that get them moving or connected. As girls, women, mums and nans, we face many barriers to being active and having fun.

“Well Wāhine Week takes the cost, pressure and intimidation out of the equation.

“Some are pro-actively child-friendly so mums can bring their little ones to be looked after while they get down to the business of improving their own wellbeing.

“Participants find the all-women environments safe, judgement-free and empowering. And it’s exciting to see providers using this week to try new things and learn about what works for the wāhine of our varied communities.

“The kaupapa of Well Wāhine is to remove the barriers that women and girls may face when participating in sport, active recreation and play.

“The 10 days is all about trying something new, getting out of your comfort zone, meeting new people and overcoming the prerequisite that you must be good at something to start.”

• To learn more about the kaupapa, view the full calendar of events and to register, visit sportgisborne.org.nz/well-wahine