Source: Eastern Institute of Technology
15 hours ago
After completing the New Zealand Certificate in Exercise (Level 4) at EIT Hawke’s Bay in 2024, graduate Nane Araia has brought her passion for health and fitness back to her community with a new POD in Camberley.
The POD initiative provides free community exercise classes from a portable shipping container and was first launched in Maraenui by EIT masters graduate and tutor Levi Armstrong (Ngāti Kahungunu).
For Nane, establishing a POD just metres from where she grew up is deeply personal.
“This is home. It means everything to be able to give back to a community that has given so much to me.”
Nane left school at 14 and spent close to two decades in factory work before enrolling at EIT at the age of 45. Now 46-years-old, the proud Cook Island woman says completing the qualification was a turning point.
“Graduating felt like I’d won the lottery. I never thought I would be a personal trainer, but EIT gave me the tools and belief to follow my passion.”
She says the support of her tutors made all the difference.
“They broke things down in a way I could understand and always encouraged us to believe in ourselves.”
Nane completed her studies alongside her brother, Drae, with the pair encouraging each other through the 17-week programme.
She has since created her own personal training business Nesian Fit and operates out of City Fitness Hastings. But she says the Camberley POD is about creating safe and welcoming classes for people of all ages and abilities.
“It’s not about numbers. Whether it’s one person or twenty, the goal is for people to feel supported and leave stronger,” she said.
EIT’s Level 2 and 3 exercise students currently train at the Maraenui POD, gaining hands-on experience and contributing to community health.
Nane says reconnecting with Levi Armstrong during her study helped make the opportunity possible.
“Levi was part of my journey right back when I started out in fitness. To now be working alongside him again, this time giving back to Camberley, feels really special.”
For Nane, the focus will always remain on people.
She hopes the POD will inspire whānau across generations, including her mokopuna, to build healthy habits through movement and connection.
“If I hadn’t gone back to study, this wouldn’t be happening. EIT made all the difference. The POD is about giving people a safe, supportive space to move, grow stronger, and create healthier habits for themselves and their whānau.”
Kris Arnold, Programme Coordinator New Zealand Certificate in Exercise (Level 4), said: “Nane, a confident mana wahine and one of our more mature students, gave 100% to her level 4 journey”.
“She has taken the knowledge and skills gained through the programme and now proudly wears many hats – leading group training, delivering community-based sessions, and working as an individual personal trainer. Nane is also collaborating with community initiatives to help her people thrive, a true reflection of the programme’s purpose in action.
“Our level 4 exercise programme equips learners with the knowledge and practical experience needed to become confident and capable personal trainers. With a strong focus on face-to-face delivery, students gain hands-on experience in a supportive learning environment, developing both technical expertise and people skills.”
