The increasing number of people signing up for exercise programmes is not only happening on Rarotonga but also on Penrhyn - the northernmost island of the Cook Islands.

Kosakifit (kosaki means dance) is a health and exercise initiative which has motivated nearly 30 girls and women on Omoka (which sits on Moananui Islet) to become more active and lead healthier lifestyles.

There’s no fancy gym, equipment or sports gear involved, the women walk on the old airport stretch which has become the hub of their gatherings, use recyclable plastic bottles filled with sand as weights and wear colourful and at times mismatched socks to help protect their feet and there are no membership fees.

Kosakifit started on October 13 and is similar to the Ura fitness on Rarotonga which is a combination of Cook Islands dancing to slow and fast beats

Mere Woonton, the island’s nurse practitioner for eight years and nurse manager for Penrhyn Health says, “it has always been my passion to help, care and serve the people of my home island.

“Because of the number of Non-Communicable- Diseases (NCDs) gradually increasing year after year, people’s lives are at risk because of the lack of knowledge of being healthy and being active,” said Woonton.

Over the years she had thought of ideas to help motivate people into participating in exercise programmes to better their health.

This year, a friend of hers Eitiare Vano also felt the same so both women kickstarted the fitness plan - and Kosakifit was established.

 “Our main goal here is to tackle Goal 7 in the National Sustainable Development Plan which is to improve health and promote healthy lifestyles.

“Highlights have been seeing the progress of everyone slowly losing kilos and improving their level of activity which is epic, they are so proud of themselves and the commitment they have put in to get to where they are today,” said Woonton.

What she found most challenging was having to maintain the fitness to continue and waking up early in the morning at 5am to attend the classes three days a week. 

“I’m proud to say that I have definitely achieved this, I’ve never felt so great and it’s a good feeling just being around our girls and Mama’s having a laugh.

“I strongly urge and encourage everyone to come along and join our fun Kosakifit team.

“This is not about being skinny, it’s about being fit, staying active and being healthy by making healthy decisions; it’s simple to join there are no fees required, just hop on your bike and join our happy and loving team, think positive and everything will turn out good.”

After two days of brief discussions the women held the first Kosakifit class with only three participants, undeterred they continued with the classes, “now we have a beautiful nest of buzzing Queens (older women) and maidens that have challenged themselves to wake up early for 5.30am classes three times a week… it’s just wow,” said Vano.

Penrhyn’s population lives on two settlements at opposite ends of its 233 square kilometre lagoon.

The kosakifit women from Penrhyn have purchased their own team shirts that they wear proudly and would like to encourage people on another Pa Enua to start or join a better lifestyle programme “Kia mau te selenga, meitaki polia.”