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While their families are at work or school, Auckland’s Pacific Islander elders are relaxing.
Every weekday at noon, a hundred people gather in Mangere town centre, wearing brightly coloured hats and shirts, for hour-long dance classes led by an instructor on stage.
The free Zumba classes began in 2013 as part of an exercise and diabetes prevention program for seniors – They’re still going strong.
Fitness dance classes not only help them stay healthy but also help them get rid of loneliness.
One dancer said: “I come here because it makes me happy and I get to see my friends.”
“You see people here, some have diabetes, some have high blood pressure. When you come here, you will find that the atmosphere here is very suitable and the people here are all different.”
Zumba at Māngere, Auckland.
photo: Marika Habbazi/RNZ
The music is full of Pacific flavor, the beats are exciting, and the exercises have an island feel.
The oldest member of the gang is 89 years old and still aging.
“We are from Niue… and my daughter, we all come here to exercise,” she said.
Lasini Kahou has been taking free Zumba classes for seven years.
“(It makes me) happy, I get out of the house. It’s better than sitting at home and pissing off my husband. I get out of the house, I come out here and I see these people every day Monday through Saturday — except Sunday. Sunday, go to church.”
Kahou said Zumba classes help her feel healthy, while nearby bakeries and fried chicken shops are off limits.
“It’s helped me a lot because I’m not so sick anymore, I’m healthy, I’m in and out every day… and I meet different people.”
Zumba at Māngere, Auckland.
photo: Marika Habbazi/RNZ
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu is the area with the largest Pacific Islander population in Auckland.
The classes are free and funded by the local council. Kalolaine Tomu, who coordinates the classes with her husband, a lecturer, and their son, a DJ, said they like to encourage people to keep moving and eat healthily – Pacific Islanders have the highest rates of diabetes among New Zealanders.
“They want to get out of the house, they don’t want to take care of their kids, sit around eating and watching TV. They want to come here to exercise and meet other people,” Tomu said.
“We are Tongan but we met with Samoans, Cook Islanders, Niueans, everyone. It was great to see everyone enjoying it.”
She said they looked out for each other.
“The oldest was a man who died two months ago at the age of 94. They really wanted to get out of the house and be here, so they stood up, rested for a while when they were tired, and then kept going.”
Zumba at Māngere, Auckland.
photo: Marika Habbazi/RNZ
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