Some of the New Zealand’s most famous faces and top business minds are stepping up this May for the Diabetes NZ annual Fitbit MoveMeant Challenge. Each competitor will wear a Fitbit Versa and try and out-step each other over two weeks in the hope of becoming the 2019 MoveMeant challenge champion.

According to new insights released by Diabetes NZ, diabetes now affects over 250,000 New Zealanders and a further one in four Kiwis are thought to have prediabetes.  This annual challenge endeavours to raise awareness about the condition and the importance regular exercise has on the prevention (type 2 diabetes) and management of all diabetes.

This, the fourth challenge that Diabetes NZ with champion sponsor, Fitbit NZ, will partner with prominent New Zealanders to help drive awareness of diabetes in New Zealand through the Fitbit MoveMeant Challenge is one way to highlight the importance of movement and physical activity in both prevention (type 2 diabetes) and management of the condition. 

The Fitbit MoveMeant Challenge will run from the 13th - 26th May. Follow the progress via Diabetes NZ Facebook and Instagram for updates, winners and competitions any one can take part in with great prizes! Better still; show your support for one or more of our participants by donating to their individual fundraising pages on Everydayhero.

Read more about our competitors below:

Hamish Walker

Defending champion from 2018, Hamish has type 1 diabetes and is MP for Clutha-Southland, and as a politician is a big supporter of his local community. 

Once again his natural competitive edge will come to the fore in this challenge.

Trudi Nelson

Broadcaster, breakfast radio host, news reader and presenter, Trudi Nelson has an influential presence in the NZ media industry.

The voice of Fresh NZ and a food writers NZ member, Trudi has a passion for food and healthy living.

Sir Eion Edgar

A keen philanthropist big on giving back to New Zealand. Sir Eion is Chairman of Forsyth Barr, and has an enviable career with former positions including Chancellor of the University of Otago, Chairman of the New Zealand Stock Exchange and President of the New Zealand Olympic Committee. 

Sir Eion is the patron of Diabetes NZ and involved with the National Research Centre for Diabetes & Obesity based at the University of Otago. As such he wants to lead by example and raise the profile of diabetes in New Zealand.  Diabetes is the biggest health problem facing our country, it is “the silent Assassin”.

Minister David Clark

Minister of Health, Associate Minister of Finance.  Diabetes is a major health issue and the Minister is pleased to take part. He enjoys exercise and enjoys sharing the great health benefits that can come from frequent and moderate activity as part of a regular day.

Jax Hamilton

Jax Hamilton is a celebrity chef, author, MC, blogger and creator of Jax Food Hax among other things.

 Jax, contributed recipes to the recently released, diabetes-friendly cookbook,  Eat Well, Live Well.   Her hope is to help reduce the effect of diabetes and to help educate others around the fact that eating healthy can also mean meals with lots of flavour and personality.

Lee Weir

Lee is a DJ for The Rock. Last May Lee was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which he says was a result of a series of poor lifestyle choices.  When diagnosed he vowed that he would own his circumstance and do better! 

So, participating in the challenge is him continuing to do better with his healthier lifestyle.

Makaia Carr

Makaia was the founder of extremely successful Motivate Me NZ; an online community created for Kiwi women looking for positive support during their journey of living a healthier lifestyle.

She went on to sell the business and released a novel “keeping it real”. She promotes happiness and healthiness across her website and social media channels.

Mel Homer

As a previous competitor, Mel is a long-time friend of Diabetes NZ.

Mel hosts The Café. She has a very recognisable voice, and can be heard on The Coast (Mel and JT on Drive 3-7). Her enthusiasm for the cause will mean she will be putting her best foot forward to outdo her competitors! 

Michael Barnett

Michael Burnett is CEO of Auckland Chamber of Commerce. Working alongside people who have diabetes, Michael knows that diabetes, is an issue, that has been a silent killer for years – there are people around him who have suffered in some ways from diabetes or the effects of it who have had zero community support. They are expected to live with it and cope.

Rachel Grunwell

For fitspo Rachel Grunwell being healthy is a given - she is a marathoner, respected wellness journalist and a yoga/mindfulness teacher.

She writes for Good magazine and Indulge magazine sharing her lifestyle and health expertise.

Rachel, has just-launched her new book Balance: Food, Health + Happiness which boasts 30 global experts sharing wellness wisdom on how to be healthier and happier, + 30 recipes.

Rhys Jolly

Rhys is one of New Zealand's leading personal trainers and his clientele ranges from National and provincial athletes through to business leaders and your everyday person.

Rhys' interests are in functional training, sports specific conditioning, motivation and education.

Richard Chambers

Returning to the challenge for a second year, Richard is determined to improve on his second placing of last year.

Richard is the Assistant Commissioner: Investigations for the New Zealand Police. Starting as a constable in Avondale, Auckland, Richard has held a wide range of frontline jobs. He is also a qualified detective and holds an Executive Masters in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce.

Rod Slater

Rod Slater is CEO Beef and Lamb New Zealand Incorporated. Rod is an insulin dependent diabetic on an insulin pump.

Rod’s reason for agreeing to participate in the challenge is to help raise the awareness of diabetes and how it can be managed so that one can still enjoy a wonderful quality of life. So we can all say.” Diabetes? No problem”.

Aimee Young

Aimee is a legal practice manager in Auckland. Aimee has type 1 diabetes, diagnosed 7.5 years ago, an unusual diagnosis, Aimee’s story is featured in the Winter 2019 Diabetes Wellness magazine.

Aimee wants to participate to raise more awareness for type 1 diabetes and also help support diabetes and all people living with diabetes in NZ.

Kerre McIvor

Kerre McIvor is the morning host on NewsTalk ZB and columnist for the Herald on Sunday and New Zealand Woman’s Weekly.  She has also written three best selling books.

Kerre is taking part in the challenge because a family member has had type 2 diabetes and she is well aware that if she doesn’t follow a healthy lifestyle she could follow suit.

Aziz Al-Sa’afin

Fun loving kiwi personality, Aziz, is a man of many talents. He is a reporter and a producer and is currently the roving reporter for popular breakfast show The AM Show.