Let's make Wanganui this country's most active region! - 26/10/2006

Cr Baker-Hogan, who chairs the Sport and Activity Committee, is encouraging Wanganui people to participate in Push Play Nation. This is a SPARC (Sport & Recreation New Zealand) initiative to get New Zealanders up and moving and into the habit of making healthy active choices.

"SPARC is challenging New Zealanders to show the rest of New Zealand, and their region, how to Push Play and win the race to become the country’s most active region," Cr Baker-Hogan said.

"I believe Wanganui can lead the way so I encourage everyone to register on the Push Play website (www.sparc.org.nz) or ring 0800 ACTIVE and show the rest of the country how active we are."

Physical activity is recognised as a key factor in maintaining and keeping good health. Inactivity is thought to account for eight percent (approximately 2000) of deaths per year in New Zealand.

A SPARC survey in 2003 found that more than two-thirds of adults in the Wanganui region are active (for more than 2.5 hours per week); but only 42 percent are active for 30 minutes or more on at least five days a week.

"This shows that Wanganui people are active but many are not regularly active," Cr Baker-Hogan said.

"Push Play is an opportunity for those people to step up their physical activity and ideally to continue that after the challenge is over. Some inactive people don't understand the importance of physical activity and don't make it a priority. But there are many informal forms of activity, such as walking, cycling and gardening, that they could use to increase their weekly level of activity.

"There are some great activities planned for Wanganui in the next few weeks and I'd love to see as many Wanganui people as possible taking part in them. Let's win the Push Play Nation challenge!"

Some of the activities coming up as part of Push Play Nation include:

Saturday, October 28: Push Play Nation Community Walk
A family event starting at Kowhai Park. Registered participants follow a route to marked 'stations' where they get their issued passes stamped. All full passes enter a draw for spot prizes.

Friday, November 3: Walk to School Day
All students who walk to school on Push Play Day register to win a prize.

Friday, November 3: The Great Push Play Pram Push
All early childhood centres and Plunket have been invited to participate in a walk through Victoria Avenue, leaving from Majestic Square at 10am.

Sunday, November 19: Bike Wise Ride into Summer
A mass bike ride to raise the profile of cycling as a healthy transport and fitness option.

Sport & Recreation Wanganui has more details of other Push Play Nation events. Phone 0800 GET ACTIVE (0800 438 228).