Ray White Whangarei Prove Workplace Wellness Works

Whangarei’s favourite workplace run/walk event, the Ray White Hatea Loop Challenge was held on Thursday 7 December. This annual event, run by Sport Northland Events, celebrates the Hatea Loop Walk/Cycleway (Huarahi o te Whai) and Workplace Health and is now in its third year.

More than 800 people, representing 89 businesses from across Northland tackled the 4.8km run/walk event – designed for workplaces to participate and challenge one another in a fun, festive and social atmosphere.

Participants enter as part of a workplace team (of three of 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 are 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. Now in its third year the event has been supported by Ray White Whangarei, Bream Bay and Tutukaka since inception – and follows on from the offices’ history of supporting Sport Northland (previously working on a local Whangarei Kids Triathlon). The office also give away a Ray White bike on the day – which was this year won by a member of the Northland Kindergarten Association team.

This year Ray White Whangarei, Bream Bay and Tutukaka were once again proud to take out the ‘Real Estate’ category – with over 27 of their sales, property management and administration staff competing, plus 5 members volunteering to marshal for the organisers. Other businesses competing this year included Robinson Asphalts, BDO Northland, Sumpter Baughen Chartered Accountants who took out the Top Overall team Category; Henderson Reeves Lawyers and BDO taking out the male/female Big Boss Category; Mill Road Vet Clinic and Sumpter Baughen Chartered Accountants taking out the Top Male/Female overall; and category winners being: Fonterra (Agriculture/Recreational Services), Mill Road Vet Clinic (Government/Health/Education), Whangarei House of Travel (Sport and Leisure/Tourism), Robinsons Asphalts (Construction/Building/Transport:), A’Fare (Retail/Hospitality), Spark Business (Communications/IT), Kamo Volunteer Fire Brigade (Volunteer Services).

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.

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 5K.