IT’S THE FINAL WEEK OF WAHINE TOA SMOKE FREE CHALLENGE!

For the past 7 weeks, 10 local Maori Wahine have made some dramatic changes to their lifestyles by competing in an eight week Smokefree Challenge.

Competing in this Smokefree Challenge has provided them with an opportunity to ‘kick’ the habit.

Keep an eye out for the Winner and highlights of Wahine Tōa in the next 2 weeks.

Don’t forget it’s your last chance to support by voting for your Wahine Tōa.

www.surveymonkey.com/wahinetoa

If you think a challenge like Wahine Toa would be something that would inspire you to give up smoking, jump on board.

You can call Wanita Tuwairua-Brown a call on (06) 869 0500 ext 8267, the Turanga Health Smoking Cessation team (06)869 0457 or contact any of the Wahine Toa Challengers.

Charnelle and Challise Rutene tell their story about participating in Wahine Tōa here:  http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/article/?id=14673

Wahine Tōa participating in Splash of the Rackets Waka Ama Challenge

Right to left: Charnelle, Tania, Ringa, Challise with Auahi kore advisor Wanita

Wahine profiles

Name: Janie (JJ) Keelan-Hammond

Age: 29

Iwi: Ngâti Porou

Hapu: Te Aitânga a Mâte

Mahi: Police Officer

No. of years smoking: 15+ years

Highlights and involvement in the community

Plays netball, touch rugby and waka ama

Goal: To become smokefree

Name: Heather Haenga

Age: 32

Iwi: Ngâti Kahungungu, Tuwharetoa, Tûhoe

Mahi: Early Childhood Teacher

No. of years smoking: 15+ years

Highlights and involvement in the community

Continuing to be active in a wide range of sports

Goal: To give up smoking for good.

Name: Aubrey Gibson

Age: 29

Iwi: Ngâti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Ngâi Tamanuhiri

Hapu: Ngâti Oneone

Mahi: Student Bachelor of Teaching Te Wânanga o Aotearoa

No. of years smoking: 15+ years

• Mother of three tamariki
• Waihirere Kapa Haka
• Kapa Haka Tutor Waikirikiri School
• Turanga FM
• Junior Tamararo kaimahi
• Te Poho-o-Rawiri Whanau kaimahi

Goal: To give up smoking for good

Name: Charnelle Rutene

Age: 29

Iwi: Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki

Hapu: Wâhi

No. of years smoking: 10+ years

Highlights and involvement in the community:

• Mother of two tamariki
• Player/coach for Horouta Gold Netball team
• Member of Strikers Softball team
• Member of Tahora Rugby League team
• Softball coach for Gisborne Girls High School

Goal: To give up smoking and better my health

Name: Challise Rutene

Age: 29

Iwi: Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki

Hapu: Wâhi

Mahi: Administrator

No. of years smoking: 15+ years

Highlights and involvement in the community:

• Player for Horouta Gold Netball team
• Member of Strikers Softball team
• Member of Tahora Women’s Rugby League team
• Softball coach for Gisborne Girls High School

Goal: To stop smoking

Name: Tania Bartlett

Age: 33

Iwi: Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti

Hapu: Ngâti Ira

Mahi: Teacher

No. of years smoking: 15+ years

Highlights and involvement in the community:

• Mother of four tamariki
• Player for Cavaliers Premier Netball team
• Member of Kunekune’s touch team
• Member of Paikea Whalers Womens Rugby League team

Goal: To win the challenge

• Save a dollar
• Make my kids proud & give up
• Live long & prosper

Name: Penny Moeke

Age: 38

Iwi: Ngâi Tamanuhiri

Hapu: Rangiwaho

Mahi: Employment services co ordinator

No. of years smoking: 20+ years

Highlights and involvement in the community:

• Mother of four girls
• Player for YMP Premier Netball team
• Hearty supporter of heaps of YMP teams
• Coach for Muriwai Magic
• Co ordinator Muriwai Youth Group
• Member of Muriwai touch team

Goal: To reach peak fitness

Name: Gaylene Taitapanui

Age: 59

Iwi: Tûhoe

Hapu: Ngâi Tâtua

Mahi: Te Reo Maori Tutor

No. of years smoking: 40+years

Highlights and involvement in the community:

• Turanga Ararau Cultural group
• Looking after moko’s

Goal: I would like to travel

Name: Ringa Brown

Age: 48

Iwi: Rongowhakaata

Hapu: Ngâti Maru

Mahi: Team Leader Home & Community Support

No. of years smoking: 20+years

Highlights and involvement in the community:

• YMP Premier Netball Team 2
• Turanga Health Softball Team
• Brown Bombers Touch
• Tu Te Manawa Maurea Kapa Haka Support

Goal: To remain smokefree

Name: Sarah Biddle

Age: 38

Iwi: Ngâti Kahungungu, Tuwharetoa, Tûhoe

Mahi: Heavy Machines Operator

No. of years smoking: 15+ years

Highlights and involvement in the community

• Player for Nga Hau e Wha Netball
• Coach for a Ilminster Netball Team

Goal: To give up smoking for good