Health and fitness is a whanau affair

Tihe Anarua (front) 16, and Ariana Kingi, 16, with Te Hakaraia o Te Rangi Wilson, 16 (left, back) and Aaron Fraser enjoy the whanau environment their gym offers. Photo Ben Fraser

A Rotorua gym is finding success in training together as a whanau.

HT (Hori Thai) Fitness in Pererika St has returned from the recent Brazilian Jiu Jitsu No Gi Grappler Nationals in Auckland where eight out of their 12 competitors won medals. They also came sixth out of 53 clubs nationally.

Trainer and gym owner Paki Wilson (Ngati Whakaue, Tuhoe, Ngati Tuwharetoa) said they had worked hard for those results and were proud of how far their group had come. Their gym consists of children as young as 5 through to adults and they teach mixed martial arts, grappling, Brazilian jiu jitsu and cross training.

"What we get a kick out of is getting our crew to the stage where they're confident to compete. We say no matter how well you do on the day, make the most out of the opportunity," Mr Wilson said.

The gym is made up of predominantly Maori who have joined through word of mouth.

"Ninety-five per cent of us are Te Arawa with 90 per cent Ngati Whakaue. [It appeals to Maori] because we're accessible. The cost isn't a barrier. The rates here are really low and if you can't pay - grab a broom. Making money is not the main thing," Mr Wilson said.

"Many other gyms have Maori trainers and say there's a whanau concept but we are a Maori gym and live the whanau concept. We push values like manakitanga. We teach a lot of our kids firstly how to work and interact with each other, many of them are from different schools and backgrounds. If you can help your partner, the whole crew gets better. We have no time for egos, no one is the man here," Mr Wilson said.

"We have whole families here, one of the good things is they're able to bring their babies along too, the whole club keeps an eye out for them."

What their young people are learning inside the gym is having a positive influence on life outside, Mr Wilson says.

"They become more focused, disciplined and healthier. We've just been to the [Brazilian jiu jitsu] nationals and one of our boys had missed school so wasn't allowed to compete, which we supported his parents in that decision.

"He was still able to come with us to Auckland but he knew that he missed that opportunity to compete and it's spurred him to be more focused."

Year 13 student Ariana Kingi (Tapuika) has been part of the gym for a couple of years and first joined to help her fitness for playing soccer.

"You definitely feel welcome here as opposed to other places, you just come in and it's a relaxing environment," the 16-year-old said.

"I mainly do power lifting and cross training and you really get pushed to your limits."