Source: Auckland Council
Former Manurewa High School student Arona Mataia knows more than most about getting in shape.
Now 25, Arona is an executive member of the International Federation of Body Building New Zealand, a group awarded a Manurewa Local Board grant recently for uniforms.
Federation president Tofilau Esther Tofilau says financial support can be hard to get and the board’s backing is appreciated.
“Arona has been competing in body-building since the age of 19 and he’s done well locally and internationally. He’s a real local champion.”
Board deputy chair Melissa Atama says Arona is a good role model for fitness, health and well-being. “The board tries to ensure its grants programme reaches out widely into the community so that help is there for people and groups in a wider range of organisations.”
The federation is hosting a junior championship in August and nationals in September, where Arona will seek to add to his Mr Waikato, Mr NZ, Australasian and South Pacific titles.
There are details about the Manurewa Local Board’s grants programme here.
