At our national conference in Christchurch this year, one of the most inspiring keynote speakers was Dave Letele – better known as Brown Buttabean. Dave shared his personal journey and the ongoing work he does to tackle the serious challenges many New Zealanders face with obesity and poor health, particularly within Māori and Pasifika communities.

Dave’s approach is refreshingly simple: help one person at a time through education, encouragement, and accessible support. Through his organisation, BBM Motivation, he runs two free gyms in Auckland, with plans to open more in regional New Zealand. These gyms not only give people a place to get active but also foster a sense of community and belonging.

Beyond fitness, BBM operates a social supermarket, providing affordable food options, and runs cooking classes to teach individuals and families how to prepare healthier meals. It is a holistic approach aimed at improving health outcomes and building long-term change.

Our conference attendees were deeply moved by Dave’s passion and the tangible difference he is making. In recognition of his work, the IANZ Foundation has proudly donated $10,000 to BBM. We are also looking forward to collaborating with Dave and his team to support underprivileged families through their Christmas appeal later this year.

You can learn more about Dave’s story and BBM’s impact by visiting The BBM Program website.

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