1959 days ago

South Auckland gym owner wins $50,000, offers free fitness classes to 100 people

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Community News

Hi neighbours,

A south Auckland gym owner has started an initiative to promote health and wellbeing in his community after winning $50,000.

Papatoetoe resident Alan Leuluai, 56, owns the Anytime Fitness gym in Manukau, and is one of the ten nationwide recipients of the AIA Vitality Business and Community Grant Initiative.

The initiative offers grants to improve the health and wellbeing of local communities.

Leuluai has created a 12-week fitness programme targeted at Māori and Pasifika people.

The programme includes free access to the gym for 12 weeks, access to a personal trainer, three fitness classes and a workshop on nutrition.

It will be offered to 100 people, who will also receive a 50 percent gym membership discount if they refuse to give up and “show grit and determination” over the 12 weeks.

The standard membership fee is $17 a week.

Leuluai said costs are a big barrier that prevent people from getting into fitness.

“We want to tackle obesity because it is the root cause of many problems in our community, like diabetes and high blood pressure,” he said.

“If we get some families into a healthy routine of exercising that can have a ripple effect in the rest of the community.”

The grants competition is run by AIA New Zealand, a leading life insurance specialist.

Image
More messages from your neighbours
16 days ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

Image
4 days ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 2026 is almost here!

We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

Image
Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 10.1% Yes! New Year, New Me
    10.1% Complete
  • 19.5% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    19.5% Complete
  • 70.5% Nah - not for me
    70.5% Complete
884 votes
13 hours ago

The Summer Kiwi Quiz is back by popular demand

Summer Kiwi Quiz - 2026

Grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Summer Kiwi Quiz! Test your knowledge, answer the daily New Zealand based questions, and find out how well you know our beautiful country!

Each correct answer will get you one entry into the draw to WIN 1 of 5 Ooni Karu 2 Portable Pizza Oven bundles, valued at $1024! Each bundle includes: an Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven, Ooni Karu 2 Carry Cover, Ooni 12" Perforated Peel, Ooni Digital Infrared Thermometer and an Ooni Cookbook: Cooking with Ooni. The more answers you enter correctly, the higher your chance of winning. For more information and to submit your answers, click here

The Team at Stuff
Enter Here

Image