It took 14 years, but Facility Support Worker Cindy Marsters finally took home the Supreme Award in the annual Tau Ora health challenge at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

The Māngere campus “jack of all trades” signs up every year, tackles the hauora tasks, and strives to improve her wellbeing, alongside inspiring friends and whānau.

She was overcome with emotion at the award ceremony when she found out she’d won.

“I heard them say a ‘powerhouse shifting furniture and who does body drops’, and I said that’s me. I was crying, it was something I’ve been trying to complete for 14 years.”

Tau Ora is the hugely successful and award-winning organisational wellness programme at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Using the Te Punga Oranga framework (9 rau that provide a holistic overview of hauora, also developed at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa), kaimahi are encouraged to form teams to overcome challenges and achieve their personal wellbeing goals.

The Tau Ora challenges are perfect for Cindy, as she is very competitive. Knowing her hard work was recognised and rewarded was like “winning the lotto”.

She’s quick to acknowledge her Tau Ora team, and other kaimahi who took part. “I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Cindy’s been on a hauora journey since the passing of her sister Alcerangi Marsters from diabetes-related complications. They were very close, and Cindy misses her dearly.

“Before she passed, she held my hand and she says, please don’t be like me. Change your life.”

That was the catalyst Cindy needed to make some changes to her then unhealthy lifestyle. Cindy sought the support of the Māngere gym coordinator Janet Yeng Tung, to kick start her wellness journey by getting fitter.

She now trains 6 days per week, for around an hour per day while inspiring many hoamahi, friends, and whānau. But she’s most proud of her mokopuna Ramin, who Cindy worked with to overhaul his diet and lifestyle. He now works out with her 3 days a week and encourages his friends from school to go the gym with him.

Cindy’s been approached by fellow kaimahi to help them achieve their fitness goals and is considering training to become a personal trainer.

In the meantime, Cindy’s committed to continuing her Hauora journey, inspiring others, and signing up for the next Tau Ora challenge.

“I love doing it is because it's my passion. I need to help change a person's life.”

Like the idea of working for an organisation that prioritises kaimahi wellbeing? Come join us!