Taranaki Toa - Mounga series a triathlon with a difference

An annual Taranaki event which encourages whānau to get up and get active has gone from strength to strength with the support of PKW.

The Taranaki Toa Mounga Tri Series was held in April in Opunake, with 205 competitors (166 of whom were Māori) determined to push themselves physically and mentally. The Mounga Tri Series is the brainchild of Taranaki Toa, a group from the Taranaki Māori community wanting to support whānau to pursue healthy lifestyles.

One of the pioneers behind the event, Alf Robson (Ngāti Tama), is an inspiration to many.

His journey to fitness is one many Māori men can relate to who have had to address their health issues as they got older. “I had a relatively active sporting lifestyle and never had an issue with my weight,” says Alf. “But after retiring, all the kai that I ate while I was playing sport, without being able to put on an ounce of weight, suddenly I started packing it on. .

“For most of my life I was pretty thin, and weighed around 89kg. Within five or six years my weight escalated to 125kg and I also noticed that my health was starting to pay a price. My head was telling me I was fit and fast, but my body was no longer following, my blood pressure was failing, and I was only in my early 40s.”

Putting the dots together, Alf realised he needed to do something if he didn’t want to become another statistic, so he entered Iron Māori. Inspired by that event in 2012, he helped organise the first Iron Māori event for Taranaki hosted in Waitara.

“That event exceeded expectations, and from there Taranaki Toa was born.”

Taranaki Toa was established to influence positive change and create a hauora (health & wellness) pathway for Taranaki whānau to participate in regular physical activity and pursue a healthy lifestyle.

“We’ve been able to create an environment where whānau don’t feel precious or hung up about how they look, where people can be comfortable in their own skins, and are happy to come and train with likeminded people.”

Above image: Taranaki Toa encourages the whole whānau to get up and get active, no matter their size or shape. Participation is the key to success.

Above image: Whānau competitors Ruakere Mathieson-Julian (9), Ngākahu Mathieson-Julian (10), Kāpoi Mathieson, Te Waikaukau Mathieson- Julian (13).

Taranaki Toa focus on providing entry-level triathlons so that local whānau don’t have to travel outside Taranaki.

“It’s all about participation,” explains Aroaro Tamati (Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui, Te Atiawa, Te Whānau ā Apanui). “From 2015 we started organising these events on our own and kept the costs as low as possible for whānau, by doing everything voluntarily.“

“This year was our seventh event, and we are continually surprised and encouraged by the level of interest from whānau to participate.” “The PKW Trust has supported us from the start, helping us to keep registration costs as low as we can for whānau. The Trusts support has allowed us to be able to purchase a trailer to secure our gear when we travel, as storing it in the back of people’s cars was no longer a viable option.”

Though triathlons follow the usual format of three disciplines - swim, bike and run - Taranaki Toa have introduced a wider kaupapa into their events.

“We’ve had hīkoi up to Pouakai -, and we have organised a rubbish collection hikoi from Ngāmotu Beach, all the way up to Paritutu.” reveals Alf. “We wanted to broaden the scope of our activity. These hikoi attracted a completely different audience, allowing us to combine exercise and activity with lessons about the historical significance of these areas for our people.”

Taranaki Toa has transformed the lives of many whānau, and there are now several success stories, and numerous role models in the rōpū who have swapped out unhealthy habits and lifestyle for a new lifestyle of regular activity, nutrition and wellness, and these people inspire those around them.

Aroaro gives the credit for the success of the event to Alf, saying “He has been the driving force behind Taranaki Toa. His story is a real personal story that resonates with all of our whānau.”

For Alf, wearing the Taranaki Toa kākahu represents a commitment to our hauora kaupapa,

Above image: Alf Robson is the driving force behind this triathlon event with a difference.

“If you see whānau wearing the kākahu you know the wearer has demonstrated a commitment to a kaupapa that seeks to support and influence health and wellbeing for whānau.”

Since those early days of Taranaki Toa, Alf has completed three full Ironman events in Taupō, which involves a 3.8k swim, a 180 km bike and a marathon. Alf has also completed marathons and numerous half and quarter Ironman events. But his greatest contribution has been the multitude of people that he has mentored, helped, given sage advice, led by example and encouraged over the years.

“That’s our kaupapa,” Alf says emphatically. “We need to do everything we can to support whānau to pursue physically active and healthy lifestyles. It’s about walking the talk.”