Tauranga iwi Ngati Ranginui Incorporated Society has launched a major campaign, in partnership with the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation, to promote healthy living.

The three-year project, led by Ngati Ranginui's Mauri Ora team, includes a wide range of programmes aimed at helping whanau to improve their health and wellbeing.

A free, six-month programme, which started April 22, will involve events run one Sunday a month around Tauranga, with the challenge to 'conquer Tri Maori or the Tough Guy Tough Gal Challenge” after finishing the programme.

The events concentrate on a variety of themes such as whanau, matariki, oral health, healthy homes, cancer awareness and physical fitness.

The concept of Mauri Ora extends beyond physical healthcare to include factors such as spiritual wellness, mental health, self-esteem and a person's links with their whanau and community.

The goals for this programme include working towards a healthy, thriving iwi in Tauranga Moana, helping whanau to create a legacy of good health and wellbeing for their children, and affirming health-conscious lifestyles.

Ngati Ranginui project coordinator Aroha Tito says the Sunday events will encourage people to engage with each other and with health care providers, get check-ups, help them learn about health services, and improve their knowledge about healthy living.

'The aim is for them to keep participating in activities after they finish,” says Aroha. 'We will give them the tools they need to keep active.”

Each Sunday will have three topics, and a fitness activity, with an hour put aside for discussion. Men, women and children from at least 20 whanau will participate in separate groups. The focus is on learning while having fun.

Ngati Ranginui project coordinator Danielle Diamond says the programme is expected to have long-term benefits and will be evaluated to ensure those results are felt by whanau.

The Sunday events are among several Mauri Ora programmes that Ngati Ranginui will run over the next three years with funding from the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation.

According to the 2013 census, just under 9000 people identify with the Ngati Ranginui iwi.