Triathlon: Te Taitokerau contingent ready for Iron Maori

There will be a point of difference about Erena Hodgkinson's outfit in the seventh annual Iron Maori triathlon in Napier. Photo/John Stone

With a build-up likened to pregnancy, Erena Hodgkinson is ready to compete in the seventh annual Iron Maori triathlon this weekend.

Hodgkinson is part of a 65-strong Te Taitokerau contingent heading to Napier to compete in an event that sees hundreds complete a 2km swim, 90km bike ride and 21.1km walk/run.

The Healthy Families Far North Kaiwhakapa-Storyteller compared the preparations for the event to going through the stages of pregnancy.

"Training for the Iron Maori is a lot like pregnancy. At the start you're all excited and want to show off about it, but then you get to about two weeks before and you realise it's all very real," she said.

"I've only just learned to swim and have just swum a lake in preparation."

"For me, this isn't about exercise. It's about connection to the environment and people; expressing gratitude and joy to be able to use my body doing something that makes me happy."

"This is about lifestyle beyond the event."

Hodgkinson will have a point of difference in her apparel for the distance event, riding her quirky bicycle in a dress and using a bathing cap with flowers on it for the swim.

Of the 65 going, 40 entrants are participating for the first time, 14 are undergoing an individual event and 14 are Te Rarawa Anga Mua (TRAM) staff.

TRAM principal advisor strategy, policy and service delivery, Bronwyn Hunt, says the organisation has led out the manaakitanga of the group, which has been training using readily available, natural resources such as the Kaitaia Walkway, Hokianga Harbour and Lake Ngatu.

"Because of the nature of the work we do with community groups, we need to walk the talk, become a health promoting organisation and more active. However, Iron Maori isn't the end result but a catalyst for change. It has been incredibly humbling to see staff who have made a commitment to Iron Maori undergo positive transformation in their lives," she said.

Social worker Kahu Thompson has been instrumental in mentoring and motivating the entrants, particularly those new to the kaupapa. A veteran now into her fifth event, she said seeing people break through their personal barriers and challenging their personal comfort zones was what drove her.

"Whanaungatanga is really important because doing it with a team makes it achievable. My advice for those doing it for the first time is to know that it's not a race. You have to do it for yourself, but most of all to enjoy it," she said.

Fellow social worker Kathleen Noble, who is taking part for her first time in an individual event. Ticking Iron Maori off her bucket list will be but one positive outcome from a journey that has seen her overcome her fear of water.

"This journey has superseded my expectations. I've discovered that I have weaknesses but through endurance and perseverance, I've become more resilient and overcome challenges physically, mentally and spiritually," she said.

Iron Maori kicks off at the Pandora Pond in Napier on Saturday.