Raymond Foster (3rd from left) with some of his Zumba participants. Photo / Supplied
Raymond Foster (3rd from left) with some of his Zumba participants. Photo / Supplied
Zumba contagious, says instructor Raymond Foster has been shaking up the local Zumba community with free classes, alongside some of his fellow instructors.
Foster returned home after growing up in South Auckland to support Ripia Marae being re-opened and with the goal of raising his children here where his family are. Having his licence to teach Zumba for just over a year, he has been making contributions to the Dargaville community in the form of free classes on Thursdays at the community hall on Hokianga Rd.
"I feel very deeply that the economy is hard on a lot of families which can really impact on health and wellbeing. I know a lot of people who would choose feeding their children over doing exercise, let alone exercise that cost money. So, I relish the idea of helping those families in any way possible."
Foster discovered the exercise when his weight became an issue and his sisters took him to a class. He found that even though Zumba is notoriously female, it was something he enjoyed despite initially struggling with good co-ordination. He finds it helps people like him get moving and motivated.
"The Zumba environment is very contagious, everyone is happy, sore, positive, motivating, besides many other attributes."
Foster works with two other Zumba instructors in the area and feels their teamwork meets most people's needs through the different styles of dance, music and available times.
Free classes are on Thursday mornings or evenings and there are additional classes on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Lots on during Labour Weekend Labour Weekend is hectic in the Kaipara with activities to suit all tastes.
Tangiteroria School is hosting its 35km country bike trail at 544 Pukehuia Rd on Sunday between 9am and 2.30pm with the 35km of country track to enjoy for motorbikers. There is an additional 2.7km for juniors and even a paddock for the little kids.
The Allan Jessop Memorial Race will be held again this year, marking the loss of a local supporter who died in October 2016. This commemorative race is limited to only 50 participants with first place receiving a trophy and $100.
To participate on any of the tracks, entry fees are $30 for adults and $15 for children with funds raised going to the school. More information can be found on their Facebook page.
Preparations are under way for the reopening of the Kauri Coast community swimming pool on Saturday. Photo / Supplied
If it's too hot for motorbikes, then perhaps a cool-off in the swimming pool might be more suitable at the reopening of the Kauri Coast Community Pool. According to assistant manager James Taoho, this will be a more low-key event then previous years due to the colder weather, but they are hoping to run a fun day in later months. It is due to open on Saturday from noon after being shut for the winter.
If sport doesn't interest you, and you would prefer to relax during this long weekend with some movies, perhaps The Anzac Theatre might have something for you.
On Sunday at 5.30pm the theatre is sharing an assortment of short films from New Zealand and around the world.
One of the films showing is "Twenty One Points" starring Josh Thomson from Seven Days and Robyn Malcolm best known from her role in Outrageous Fortune. Photo / Supplied
The variety of the films is vast with subjects including imaginary friends, a vindictive toilet, and an identity crisis, so there should be something for everyone.
Check out their website for more details about the Show Me Shorts NZ International Short Film Festival.
Little Theatre's next show Charlie's Christmas Adventure is Dargaville Little Theatre's next production due out in early December. Auditions were held last weekend and resulted in all 19 children who attended being cast.
The story, written by local resident Eryn Wilson-Collins, is about a young girl who is disenchanted with Christmas and learns some lessons while on a Christmas adventure. The children who have been cast are between 6 and 14 years old and will have to attend rehearsals three times each week to meet the obligations of the show.
Wilson-Collins, who also will be directing it, explains the difference between working with adults and children: "It is very different, but I don't think it is harder. Doing the kids' show is like a condensed version of doing a full show, so rehearsal lengths are shorter, the show is shorter, and the season is only over one weekend."
She says it is rewarding being involved in productions particularly with children because they often return year after year, to the point where they then become engaged in the adult productions.
The play runs at the Dargaville Little Theatre in early December. Visit the theatre's Facebook page for more information.
Council sets up 'People's Panel' Kaipara District Council is giving local people the opportunity to provide feedback on things important to them such as services or policies. People can participate in several surveys throughout the year with results shared, so residents can see how their involvement shapes the running of the district. This new initiative has been named the "People's Panel".
Kaipara Mayor Dr Jason Smith said this will allow the voices of participants to be heard better by council with the idea based on other similar initiatives elsewhere in New Zealand.
"The more of us who join the People's Panel the better it will be. I'm hoping for at least 1000 members from across Kaipara."
