Media release from Anne Thorp

17 October 2007

Maori chef supports efforts to reduce Maori obesity

Maori television chef and personality Anne Thorp said today that she wants to support efforts to reduce Maori obesity.

“Our people are just too overweight. They eat the wrong food and this contributes to their poor health and early morbidity”, Anne said.

Anne is launching a toolkit that looks at the causes of Maori obesity at Te Hotu Manawa Maori’s annual Nutrition and Physical Activity Hui which is currently being held in Ngaruawahia. Around 150 health workers from around the country will be attending.

“This toolkit shows how difficult it is for our whanau to access healthy kai.”

The toolkit explains that Maori are more likely to live in neighbourhoods where there are fewer supermarkets and more fast food outlets.

“I believe however that with the right information and guidelines our people can eat well and be healthy – within budget,” Anne said.

“Farmers Markets are opening up everywhere. Otara for example is the best market in Auckland. I shop at markets wherever I am and the Otara Market has the cheapest, and freshest produce in town. Our whanau need to take advantage of these shopping options and learn to shop wisely and then cook healthily”

Anne’s messages on her cooking series Kai Ora are all about health and good living, about simplicity, about having fun with food and about enjoying life through a healthy diet.

Ends

Anne Thorp cooks delicious Maori-inspired cuisine and entertains celebrities on Maori Television’s cooking series Kai Ora. A new series of Kai Ora screens from 2 December 2007. Photo courtesy of Maori Television.