“Fun, laughter and whanaungatanga.”

That’s how 70-year-old Viola Anderson describes her day at the 2024 Pasifika Mātua Olympics, held at Christchurch’s Pioneer Stadium last month.

She jokes: “[It’s] a lot of fun, especially the archery – it made you think, ‘Oh, do I need glasses?’”

For Anderson, the games are a reminder of the importance of staying well.

“I was [previously] diagnosed pre-diabetic,” she says. “I’m no longer pre-diabetic, so I’m keeping my exercise up – walking the dog in the morning and at night.”

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The Pasifika Mātua Olympics was a great success, uniting nearly 100 local Mātua from diverse Pacific nations and backgrounds for a day of inclusive sports and activities suitable for all abilities.

This year’s event also served as a comprehensive health expo for families, featuring stalls to bridge the information gap and support families in aiding their mātua.

It was timely for 72-year-old Kororia Crump, who had her blood pressure checked at the Heart Foundation stall.

“I found out that it’s high, which is good because now I’ll go to the doctor on Monday,” she says. “So, it’s things like that because I [normally] go to the doctor only when I’m sick – so it’s good to come in this environment and sit down [to be checked].”

While physical health is important for our Māori and Pasifika communities, the day is about much more than that.

“It is always about whakawhanaungatanga,” says Crump. “And it is nice to be amongst all Pasifika.”

“I think it’s a reminder that we’re all one nation at the end of the day,” Anderson adds.

Also in attendance was Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger, who highlighted the importance of mātua utilising motor function skills, cognitive balance and concentration.

“Many mātua usually participate on the sidelines, cheering for their families at sports games – but this is all about the mātua so families and friends can cheer on their number one supporter,” he tells the crowd.

“It is wonderful to see this event encouraging family and friends to support and celebrate Pasifika mātua in our community.

“I hope that the games continue to run for many years.”

Healthy Families Ōtautahi (HFŌ) Pasifika Systems Innovator Chris John says the day was uplifting for all.

“If you’re thinking about Healthy Families and you’re thinking about chronic disease, and you sit there and think what better way [to] get a collective group of our mātua together and embrace that whole community conversation and connection and doing that all through active, sporting games where they can just be a participant.

“All the support, all the energy, all the awhi – the love in the room – it’s giving back to our mātua who have given so much to us.”

The evaluation of the Pasifika Mātua Olympics will provide valuable insights for HFŌ to help mātua, their families and organisations understand the challenges, barriers and protective factors, and identify what is needed to support sustainable solutions for our mātua.

Article added: Wednesday 09 October 2024