Sealord sponsorship to support a healthy commute

Doug Paulin, Sealord CEO and Anne Hobby, Te Piki Oranga Tumuaki with the new bike shed at Whakatū Hauora Hub.

A healthy work commute for kaimahi and active transport gains for Whakatū Nelson are in the pipeline with a new sponsorship agreement by Sealord for Te Piki Oranga.

The three-year sponsorship marks the start of the 5th year of support provided to the Māori health and wellness provider. It coincides with the opening of Te Piki Oranga’s new Whakatū Hauora Hub in Stoke, into which Te Piki Oranga relocated its Whakatū (Nelson) and Waimeha (Richmond) kaimahi.

The new hauora (health) hub hosts clinical, non-clinical and kaupapa Māori services, and head office functions. The site’s proximity to the Railway Reserve pathway inspired Te Piki Oranga to plan for a fit-for-purpose bike shelter on the site, to support greater numbers of kaimahi and whānau using active transport to and from the health hub – by bicycle, walking or scooter.

This is where Sealord comes in, with the $15,000 sponsorship going towards the bike shelter.

Sealord CEO Doug Paulin said that the sponsorship is a natural fit for Sealord.

“We are very pleased we can continue to support the important work of Te Piki Oranga in this way. Sealord is half-owned by Māori so the continued partnership with Te Piki Oranga is a natural fit,” Doug says.

“We’re thrilled they have a fantastic new health hub, to bring kaimahi and whānau together in one place in the region with access to so many health and wellness services,” Doug says.

“Sealord has a focus on encouraging low carbon emission travel to support Nelson Tasman’s sustainability goals.

“A bike shelter for Te Piki Oranga means they can also support kaimahi to use more active transport and help reduce traffic during peak hours in the area.”

Te Piki Oranga Tumuaki (General Manager) Anne Hobby says that Sealord’s sponsorship since 2021 has been pivotal in supporting whānau access to health services through funded whānau transport to appointments and whānau hauora days.

“Sealord are a valued partner who see the value in the work we do in Whakatū Nelson,” Anne says.

“The bike shed is the icing on the cake for our new health hub and we look forward to seeing it in use.”