Dave Letele walks the talk when it comes to weight loss. Photo / NZ Herald
Dave Letele walks the talk when it comes to weight loss. Photo / NZ Herald
Dave Letele takes on obesity, which affects one in three New Zealanders over 15.
His TV series, Heavyweight, explores obesity’s complexities, focusing on Māori and Pasifika communities.
Tipping the Scales airs in February, highlighting personal stories, including former deputy prime minister Paula Bennett’s.
Community advocate Dave Letele is tackling an epidemic sweeping New Zealand – obesity – where one in three Kiwis over the age of 15 is classified as obese.
In his series Heavyweight, Letele has confronted social issues that affect all New Zealanders – especially Māori and Pasifika peoples – addictions, including alcohol and gangs. Letele now has his TV sights on the battle of the bulge.
Letele, who has lost over 100kg, works on the front line in communities every day. Obesity, as Letele knows firsthand, is a complex and multifaceted issue.
“This episode was very personal to me,” Letele told the Herald.
James McDiarmid, who tipped the scales at 281kg, and Dave Letele, 210kg, discuss obesity on TVNZ's Heavyweight: Tipping the Scales.
“To move mountains, you’ve got to climb mountains – sometimes physically, sometimes metaphorically. The mental mindset can be the most challenging – so like the other episodes of Heavyweight, I hope hearing other people’s stories will inspire people to make positive change.
“Obesity isn’t just about weight. It’s about breaking generational cycles, creating community, and helping people know they’re not alone.”
Yesterday morning, on Auckland Anniversary Day, a crowd gathered at the base of Maungawhau/Mt Eden.
Among the group were families, friends, professional contacts and supporters of BBM, the community-driven initiative founded by Letele, who walked up the maunga.
This maunga walk holds special significance for Letele. It’s where a defining chapter of his life began and something he does regularly – with friends, members, family and alone.
Once weighing 210kg, Letele’s decision to just “walk up a hill”, marked the start of a life-changing transformation that is detailed in the latest Heavyweight episode.
Yesterday’s walk epitomises that sense of community and among the walkers was James McDiarmid, who once weighed 281kg and has lost a whopping 130kg. He now works alongside Letele at BBM.
James McDiarmid at the top of Mt Eden with the BBM team of walkers.
“We share our stories so others can hear them because doing something is the hardest,” McDiarmid said.
Another maunga walker was Reuben Panoho, who was 263kg when he joined BBM. He has lost 85kg since and prior to joining BBM had barely been outside for 20 years. Now he’s walking up Mt Eden, albeit with the support and encouragement of his friend McDiarmid.
Tipping the Scales will air in February on TVNZ. It explores the obesity pandemic in Aotearoa, through the eyes of lived experience – from Letele’s own, McDiarmid’s and others, including former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett.
This episode’s release is timely. New Zealand has the third-highest adult obesity rate in the OECD.
“Obesity is associated with so many health conditions – but it’s also a symptom of deeper inequities,” Letele explains. “It’s all connected. I use my voice – and we created the TV series, for example, to shine a light on these inequities, particularly within Pacific and Māori communities, where there is a need for culturally informed solutions."
Heavyweight with Dave Letele – Tipping the Scales will air mid-February on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+.
Paula Bennett has said she needed a year to detox from politics. Photo / Dean Purcell
“One of the things I love the most about our series is that beside my own story – we have people from all walks of life sharing their own vulnerability – All Blacks, politicians, my dad. Because you know, these topics, they are equalisers. The stories and shared lived experience brings us together,“ Letele said.
The Heavyweight with Dave Letele series premiered in August 2023 with the first episode, Down and Out, which focused on addiction.
Former All Black Zac Guildford shared his personal story alongside other contributors. The second, Patched, examined the impact of gang culture. There are more social issues Letele hopes to explore, including housing and education.
“At this time in the world, in Aotearoa and beyond – we could all do with some increased understanding and empathy. I hope this contributes positively towards achieving it.”
