Workplace Wellness Works in Whangarei

There was a carnival atmosphere on Whangarei’s Hatea Loop on Thursday, 6 December when 710 participants representing 75 workplaces from across Northland, hit the pavement in the fourth annual Ray White Hatea Loop Challenge. 

Sponsored by Ray White Whangarei & Tutukaka and run in conjunction with Sport Northland, Whangarei’s favourite workplace run/walk event, the Ray White Hatea Loop Challenge, celebrates the Hatea Loop Walk/Cycleway (Huarahi o te Whai) and Workplace Health.

Designed for workplaces to participate and challenge one another in a fun, festive and social atmosphere there was plenty of entertainment along the 4.8km course as well as plenty of healthy competition for those vying for a category win.  

Participants enter as part of a workplace team (of three or more people) across either the run, run/walk, or walk categories – with the results being calculated on the first 3 finishers for that team. There is a range of industry categories in which teams enter – challenging fellow workplaces and departments from across the region. In recent years a special category has also been added for ‘Big Bosses’ and many teams now also dress up for the challenge.

This year’s trophies were handed out to both the Industry Award Winners, Fastest Team and Fastest Individuals – with the fastest male crossing the finish line in a record time of 18.22, with the fastest female hot on his heels crossing in 19.35.   Ray White Whangarei also gave away a Workplace Shout which was won by Hunting and Fishing Whangarei.

This year Ray White Whangarei and Tutukaka were once again proud to take out the ‘Real Estate’ category – with over 20 of their sales, property management and administration staff competing, plus several members volunteering to marshal for the event organisers. Other businesses competing this year included Robinson Asphalts, Sumpter Baughen Chartered Accountants, Henderson Reeves (Big Boss (male) Category Winner); BDO Northland (Big Boss (female) & Accounting/Finance/Insurance/Legal Category Winners); Mill Road Vets (Fastest Team Overall & Government/Health/Education Category Winner); Whangarei House of Travel (Sport & Leisure/Tourism Category Winner); Northpower (Communications/IT & Agriculture/Recreational Services Category Winners) and Kamo Volunteer Fire Brigade (Volunteer Services Category Winner).

Sport Northland is a charitable trust and a registered charity with any profits reinvested into their local community programmes which are aimed at encouraging Northlanders to become more active. Funds from this years’ Ray White Hatea Loop Challenge will go towards supporting their Active Workplace Programme which promotes physical activity in the workplace to help create happier, healthier working environments.

“We value our partnership with Sport Northland – a company whose values of passion, innovation, relationships, and leadership closely align with our own,” says Company Director, Vanessa McKenzie.

Now in its fourth year, the event has been supported by Ray White Whangarei and Tutukaka since inception.

“We eagerly anticipate this event each year, and it just keeps getting bigger, and better!” said fellow Company Director, John Monteith. “Held in December each year The Hatea Loop Challenge is a great way for colleagues to come together and reflect on the year with many teams gathering on the Hihiaua Peninsular for a relaxing barbecue to celebrate their achievements and socialise with live entertainment this year provided by local band Loose Change. Our team consider it a real privilege to be involved with, and to have partnered with Sport Northland, and it is encouraging to see so many local businesses, both large and small supporting the Workplace Health initiative and having so much social fun (and exercise) close to the end of the working year, as well as taking the opportunity to celebrate the beautiful Huarahi o te Whai, which now must be considered the true heart of Whangarei.”

Iconic in Northland, the Hatea Loop is a fully accessible walkway that circles the Hatea River, crossing three bridges. The Hatea Loop that weaves past shops, through markets, besides yachts, parks and industrial areas, across the new cycle and footbridge over the Waiarohia Stream, is part of a grand vision of an area that all people can enjoy however they want to. The walkway links Whangarei’s Town Basin with Te Matau a Pohe and William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island – from which a variety of activities can be enjoyed. Ray White will soon be moving to their brand new, purpose-built office alongside the award-winning Whangarei’s Te Matau ā Pohe bridge on The Hatea Loop in early 2018.

View all the photos from this years’ event on the Ray White Whangarei Facebook page.