He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata he tangata he tangata!
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people!
There are three things that we are BIG believers in.
- The first is Community & Connection – that we are better together, in our challenges and our achievements. That the genuine support and connection, and the sharing of common interests, experiences and goals, lessens the feelings of loneliness and isolation, and ultimately creates happy healthier humans.
- The second is Gratitude – that the practice of being present and celebrating the positive and wonderful things around us, no matter how small, can change your life. That we should never take for granted our life, our environment, our whenua, or our bodies and their ability to move.
- And the third is prioritising our Mental Health. In our experience, movement and running has had a huge and positive impact on our own overall wellbeing and mental health. Running has helped us build mental fortitude, given us a deep feeling of personal accomplishment, allowed us to connect with inspiring people, and bought with it regular bouts of that ‘runners high’!
The RunnersNZ project started in 2019 with these three themes as major drivers – a means to connect New Zealand runners of all abilities and backgrounds, through stories and through shared passions, purpose and experiences; to grow and develop meaningful relationships and networks of support and celebration beyond the online platforms. 200+ storytellers… and so many more we’re yet to cross paths with.
To hear a little of the history or and ‘The Why’ of the project, check out the Direct Church Radio Podcast Episode 255, where we talk to Matt about how it all began… and several other topics.
We are always looking for new runners to meet and chat with, and perhaps share their running WHY. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to read where in New Zealand we are headed next, or send us a message to hopefully cross paths and be featured. We can’t wait to meet you!
Ngā mihi.
Carly & Lee