Latest news with #DaveLetele
RNZ News
5 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Study finds Māori, Pacific communities can reshape media narratives
Brown Buttabean Motivation founder Dave Letele. Photo: Stuff / David White A new study shows Māori and Pasifika community initiatives can use media stereotypes to create their own narrative. The University of Auckland study, 'Taking the mic: Māori and Pacific voices in the media' examined the success of Brown Buttabean Motivation (BBM), New Zealand's largest community-based fitness and well-being organisation throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the study's lead author Dr Sandra Smith, senior marketing lecturer at the University of Auckland, over time, and especially during lockdowns, BBM became "much more than just a bootcamp and how to eat healthy". "It became an extension of whānau and a safe space where support could be provided to members in need. This finding echoes the notion that Māori and Pacific people are likely to seek help from family and community rather than from formal health providers," she said. University of Auckland senior marketing lecturer Dr Sandra Smith says organisations working to assist Indigenous and diverse communities should take control of their narrative in the news rather than reacting to media coverage. Photo: Supplied / William Chea / University of Auckland Outlined in the report, Māori and Pacific peoples in Aotearoa face entrenched socio-economic and health gaps, including lower life expectancy and higher obesity rates. "Māori have experienced socio-economic deprivation because of colonisation and racism, manifesting in their significantly reduced life expectancy compared to non-Māori. Similarly, Pacific people also experience socio-economic and health inequities," the study said. "These health inequities were exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, requiring a consideration of the changing experiences and requirements of diverse communities." Smith said these disparities can be worsened by mainstream media that frame health as an individual's responsibility, rather than a societal one. "Media narratives can shape how others view Māori and Pacific people and how Māori and Pacific people view themselves," Smith said, noting past decades of biased coverage. "So, we were interested in whether the media was actually reflecting the community in an accurate way, in a truthful way, or in a biased way." Pre-COVID, the study found that news media themes were consistently in line with high attendance at BBM's bootcamp. However, COVID-19 created different issues for the community and BBM adapted to the new environment and focused on new function programmes in response. Photo: Screenshot / Graph / University of Auckland Using the kaupapa Māori framework, Te Whare Tapa Whā and Pacific framework Fonofale, the researchers analysed 102 media articles and interviews (27 before Covid-19, 75 during) via computer-assisted tools and member checks with BBM. They tracked shifts in top media themes, such as Letele, people, weight, life and boxing, food, health, lockdown, children, and community support. "Covid-19 created different issues for the community. BBM adapted… New themes such as food, lockdown and children are reflective of this adaptation," Smith said. "It became more than just a bootcamp, but a community [and] a whānau." The study found that as gyms shut due to lockdown restrictions, BBM's strong social-media presence which let it livestream workouts, share health information and organise food parcels - became a safe space for whānau. "That's where they reach out to each other. That's how they perhaps coped when people were being locked down, losing their jobs, not knowing where their next healthy meal was coming from. That was a place where people obviously used those channels to connect." Smith said from previous research in the health space, specific communities - including Māori and Pacific - will respond better to their own people when it comes to disseminating important information or getting advice. "They're a lot more trusting of people within their own community. So, I think BBM then became a very important conduit for perhaps some of the health messaging helping people to navigate through some of the confusions around the time of the pandemic." Despite some lingering stereotypes, media coverage of BBM was "reasonably friendly… and reasonably accurate", the researchers found. "It's good to see that the media was reasonably friendly towards this community and was reasonably accurate. It wasn't perfect, but that was one of the key findings," Smith said. Dave Letele in studio with Guyon Espiner. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Letele's ability to co-create his own media narrative was a stand out finding, Smith said. "Dave's own celebrity status… he was quite proactive and quite good at co-creating the narrative with the media rather than just having the media telling his story." Smith hopes this study will inspire other community-based groups to pick up the mic and tell their own stories. "I saw that Dave was very proactive in actually reaching out to the media, ensuring that the community's story was told accurately... I think communities can take a more proactive stance," she said. "Not necessarily waiting for mainstream media to create your narrative, but using the media channels that they're using themselves to tell their story." She said this specific study is a great way of learning about how Māori and Pacific people benefited from having a community like BBM. "I think we can all take something out of this story." The paper is published in the Pacific Health dialogue - a journal dedicated to health issues in the Pacific region - and is connected to a larger post-doctoral research project led by co-author, Dr Fa'asisila Savila (Pacific Health) and funded by the Health Research Council.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Taking The Mic: Māori And Pacific Voices In The Media
Press Release – University of Auckland Savvy media interaction can shape the perception and success of community-led health initiatives, particularly for Māori and Pacific people, according to a recent study. Organisations working to assist Indigenous and diverse communities should take control of their narrative in the news rather than reacting to media coverage, according to research led by University of Auckland senior marketing lecturer Dr Sandra Smith. Published in Pacific Health Dialog, a journal dedicated to health issues in the Pacific region, the paper is connected to a larger post-doctoral research project led by co-author, Dr Fa'asisila Savila (Pacific Health) and funded by the Health Research Council. It examines how Aotearoa New Zealand's largest community-based fitness and well-being organisation, Brown Buttabean Motivation (BBM), the brainchild of former professional boxer Dave Letele, navigated media narratives before and during the pandemic. Smith and colleagues examined how Māori and Pacific communities were framed in the media when referencing the health programme, whether those narratives aligned with, enhanced or competed against the organisation's message, and how the personal brand of Letele and Brown Buttabean Motivation evolved. By using Māori and Pacific research methodologies and analysing more than 100 media articles and interviews, the study found that although media narratives reinforced some negative tropes, such as an emphasis on Māori and Pacific people experiencing higher prevalence of obesity than national averages, Letele's reputation and positive public persona allowed him to shape media narratives. 'Letele was proactive in reaching out to journalists and editors, and ensuring that the community's story was told accurately,' says Smith.'This level of engagement is valuable for Māori and Pacific led organisations, who can sometimes struggle to have their voices heard and accurately represented in the mainstream media.' The fact that the media accurately represented the organisation, its activities and its philosophy, without a specific spin or bias, and with only limited evidence of negative media framing, contrasts with the negative stereotypes frequently encountered in the representation of Māori and Pacific people in the mass media, says Smith. 'This is likely due to Dave Letele's ability to influence the coverage proactively, to a greater extent than would usually occur between community agencies and the press,' she says. 'Māori and Pacific people face significant health inequities, often exacerbated by media framing that places the burden of health on individuals rather than that of government or society.' The findings also show how the health and fitness organisation adapted and changed during the pandemic, shifting to supporting people by providing food and online classes and linking members with important information and services. 'It became an extension of whānau and a safe space where support could be provided to members in need. This finding echoes the notion that Māori and Pacific people are likely to seek help from family and community rather than from formal health providers.' Smith and her fellow researchers hope the study will inspire other community-based groups and charities to take a more active role in their media engagement and say media outlets should be mindful of the impact their reporting can have on such groups. 'Dave Letele's ability to engage with the media and shape the discourse around Brown Buttabean Motivation is a game-changer,' she says. 'It's a powerful example of how Indigenous and diverse communities can positively influencepublic perception and knowledge of their activities and offerings.'
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Taking The Mic: Māori And Pacific Voices In The Media
Press Release – University of Auckland Mori and Pacific people face significant health inequities, often exacerbated by media framing that places the burden of health on individuals rather than that of government or society. Savvy media interaction can shape the perception and success of community-led health initiatives, particularly for Māori and Pacific people, according to a recent study. Organisations working to assist Indigenous and diverse communities should take control of their narrative in the news rather than reacting to media coverage, according to research led by University of Auckland senior marketing lecturer Dr Sandra Smith. Published in Pacific Health Dialog, a journal dedicated to health issues in the Pacific region, the paper is connected to a larger post-doctoral research project led by co-author, Dr Fa'asisila Savila (Pacific Health) and funded by the Health Research Council. It examines how Aotearoa New Zealand's largest community-based fitness and well-being organisation, Brown Buttabean Motivation (BBM), the brainchild of former professional boxer Dave Letele, navigated media narratives before and during the pandemic. Smith and colleagues examined how Māori and Pacific communities were framed in the media when referencing the health programme, whether those narratives aligned with, enhanced or competed against the organisation's message, and how the personal brand of Letele and Brown Buttabean Motivation evolved. By using Māori and Pacific research methodologies and analysing more than 100 media articles and interviews, the study found that although media narratives reinforced some negative tropes, such as an emphasis on Māori and Pacific people experiencing higher prevalence of obesity than national averages, Letele's reputation and positive public persona allowed him to shape media narratives. 'Letele was proactive in reaching out to journalists and editors, and ensuring that the community's story was told accurately,' says Smith.'This level of engagement is valuable for Māori and Pacific led organisations, who can sometimes struggle to have their voices heard and accurately represented in the mainstream media.' The fact that the media accurately represented the organisation, its activities and its philosophy, without a specific spin or bias, and with only limited evidence of negative media framing, contrasts with the negative stereotypes frequently encountered in the representation of Māori and Pacific people in the mass media, says Smith. 'This is likely due to Dave Letele's ability to influence the coverage proactively, to a greater extent than would usually occur between community agencies and the press,' she says. 'Māori and Pacific people face significant health inequities, often exacerbated by media framing that places the burden of health on individuals rather than that of government or society.' The findings also show how the health and fitness organisation adapted and changed during the pandemic, shifting to supporting people by providing food and online classes and linking members with important information and services. 'It became an extension of whānau and a safe space where support could be provided to members in need. This finding echoes the notion that Māori and Pacific people are likely to seek help from family and community rather than from formal health providers.' Smith and her fellow researchers hope the study will inspire other community-based groups and charities to take a more active role in their media engagement and say media outlets should be mindful of the impact their reporting can have on such groups. 'Dave Letele's ability to engage with the media and shape the discourse around Brown Buttabean Motivation is a game-changer,' she says. 'It's a powerful example of how Indigenous and diverse communities can positively influencepublic perception and knowledge of their activities and offerings.'
Scoop
25-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Taking The Mic: Māori And Pacific Voices In The Media
Savvy media interaction can shape the perception and success of community-led health initiatives, particularly for Māori and Pacific people, according to a recent study. Organisations working to assist Indigenous and diverse communities should take control of their narrative in the news rather than reacting to media coverage, according to research led by University of Auckland senior marketing lecturer Dr Sandra Smith. Published in Pacific Health Dialog, a journal dedicated to health issues in the Pacific region, the paper is connected to a larger post-doctoral research project led by co-author, Dr Fa'asisila Savila (Pacific Health) and funded by the Health Research Council. It examines how Aotearoa New Zealand's largest community-based fitness and well-being organisation, Brown Buttabean Motivation (BBM), the brainchild of former professional boxer Dave Letele, navigated media narratives before and during the pandemic. Smith and colleagues examined how Māori and Pacific communities were framed in the media when referencing the health programme, whether those narratives aligned with, enhanced or competed against the organisation's message, and how the personal brand of Letele and Brown Buttabean Motivation evolved. By using Māori and Pacific research methodologies and analysing more than 100 media articles and interviews, the study found that although media narratives reinforced some negative tropes, such as an emphasis on Māori and Pacific people experiencing higher prevalence of obesity than national averages, Letele's reputation and positive public persona allowed him to shape media narratives. "Letele was proactive in reaching out to journalists and editors, and ensuring that the community's story was told accurately," says Smith."This level of engagement is valuable for Māori and Pacific led organisations, who can sometimes struggle to have their voices heard and accurately represented in the mainstream media." The fact that the media accurately represented the organisation, its activities and its philosophy, without a specific spin or bias, and with only limited evidence of negative media framing, contrasts with the negative stereotypes frequently encountered in the representation of Māori and Pacific people in the mass media, says Smith. "This is likely due to Dave Letele's ability to influence the coverage proactively, to a greater extent than would usually occur between community agencies and the press," she says. "Māori and Pacific people face significant health inequities, often exacerbated by media framing that places the burden of health on individuals rather than that of government or society." The findings also show how the health and fitness organisation adapted and changed during the pandemic, shifting to supporting people by providing food and online classes and linking members with important information and services. "It became an extension of whānau and a safe space where support could be provided to members in need. This finding echoes the notion that Māori and Pacific people are likely to seek help from family and community rather than from formal health providers." Smith and her fellow researchers hope the study will inspire other community-based groups and charities to take a more active role in their media engagement and say media outlets should be mindful of the impact their reporting can have on such groups. "Dave Letele's ability to engage with the media and shape the discourse around Brown Buttabean Motivation is a game-changer," she says. "It's a powerful example of how Indigenous and diverse communities can positively influencepublic perception and knowledge of their activities and offerings."
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy star Manu Vatuvei opens up about why his time in jail for smuggling $200,000 worth of meth will haunt him for the rest of his life
Fallen NRL star Manu Vatuvei has expressed his deep regret about smuggling meth, adamant his jail experience will stay with him forever. Vatuvei, 39, was sent to prison in 2022 for three years and seven months for his role in the drug syndicate - before he was paroled under special conditions in May of 2023. Along with his brother Lopini Lautau Mafi, Vatuvei was caught by authorities removing nine packets of concealed methamphetamine - worth $200,000 - from a package which arrived in New Zealand from India in 2019. 'The Beast' knows some footy fans will never forgive him - but he is still seeking redemption, day by day. 'I take ownership of what I did and I'm accountable for it, and now I'm changing my life again and rebuilding from the start,' he told the New Zealand Herald. 'I'm ready to move forward, but it'll always be on me, everything that I've done. Vatuvei was a fan favourite at the New Zealand Warriors, playing 226 games for the club and scoring 152 tries 'All the hate that I get, I'll just use that as energy to show that I'm doing something good.' Once Vatuvei was released from behind bars, he started working with Dave Letele's Buttabean Motivation (BBM) team in New Zealand. Letele is a former Kiwi heavyweight boxer who after retiring from the sport in 2016 turned his attention to motivational speaking and providing food for the needy. 'I owe him a lot. He (Letele) never looked down at me or anything,' Vatuvei said. 'He just took me under his wing and gave me the opportunity, but then it was up to me to work my arse off. 'Now I'm working hard and giving back to the community....I also share my story.' The father of five's sporting career ended abruptly in June of 2019 after it was discovered the hulking winger had a cyst on his brain. Vatuvei was a fan favourite at the New Zealand Warriors, playing 226 games for the club as well as 29 Tests for the Kiwis and two for Tonga. He also featured in the 2011 NRL Grand Final, scoring a four-pointer in the 24-10 defeat against Manly - and his 152 tries between 2004 and 2017 remains a club record.
