MEDIA RELEASE

25 October 2005

AkActive gets Auckland moving during Push Play week

AkActive, a new and exciting active communities programme for Aucklanders, is being launched on Monday, 31 October 2005.

Launch celebrations will kick off at 11.30am in Aotea Square with recreation activities for the young and old.

Auckland City, Sport Auckland, ProCare Network Auckland and Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) have joined forces to develop and deliver a programme designed to motivate Auckland communities to increase their physical activity.

This initiative is being launched in conjunction with Sport Auckland's Push Play week. Push Play is a national campaign designed to encourage people to increase their daily activity and this year will celebrate New Zealanders who are or have recently become active.

Chairperson of Auckland City's Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee, Councillor Penny Sefuiva, says she is excited about the combined approach to the programme and sees this as a positive step forward and making a real difference in people's lives.

"It is often too easy for many of us to find an excuse not to include physical activity in our daily routine.

"This programme will make it easier to get active by ensuring that people know what is happening in their local communities and increasing their range of options."

AkActive aims to:

- develop a physical activity network

- build on existing programmes and activities,

- create new and innovative physical activity opportunities focused in and around council facilities, and

- promote the benefits of physical activity.

With the emphasis on taking part, AkActive's initial three-year programme will bring together the combined talents of all four agencies to promote healthy, active lifestyles for all Aucklanders.

"The programme is about encouraging us all to participate in some form of daily activity," says Councillor Sefuiva. "AkActive will open the door to an active lifestyle and encourage people to feel good about their health.

"The focus is about making everyday changes. It is about taking the stairs instead of the lift, speaking face to face rather than sending an email, getting off the bus at an earlier stop. It is about doing little things that make a difference," says Councillor Sefuiva. "It is also about doing things you enjoy - gardening, dancing or taking the kids to the park."

Getting involved is easy - come along to the Aotea Square celebrations and take part in Tai Chi or a scavenger hunt, or join in any of the other Push Play week activities. Visit www.sportauckland.org.nz for more information about Push Play week.

The project has had over $1 million invested in it by the four partners to ensure Auckland communities become more active, more often.

For more information on the launch of the AkActive programme. visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/akactive

ENDS

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