The Taranaki group on training day Photo: Supplied
Cyclists are gearing up to ride from Tāmaki Makaurau to Taranaki, with the legacy of the late Talei Morrison in mind and Te Matatini in sight.
The team of 20 will depart Ōrākei on Tuesday, 18 February and were expected to arrive in Taranaki on Thursday, 20 February.
They will then loop around the Taranaki Maunga stopping at four main points for health promotion events, before finishing at the powhiri for the national kapa haka competition, Te Matatini on 24 February.
The kaupapa began in 2019 as a legacy to the Smear your Mea campaign - started by the late Talei Morrison in 2017 to raise awareness, promote advocacy, and support through early detection, treatment, and prevention of cervical cancer.
Morrison died in 2018 at the age of 48, after a nine-month battle with cervical cancer.
She was a passionate kapa haka performer hence why the cycle trip, dedicated to Morrison, always finished at the biennial Te Matatini competition.
The cyclists would be accompanied by Taranaki health and social services organisation Tui Ora's mobile health clinic - one of their kaimahi has been involved in the Ride for Talei since the beginning.
Tui Ora's People and Capability lead Alf Robson said the ride continued to push out Morrison's message in her memory.
"The whole ride is about getting the message to as many whānau as we can to go and get yourself checked."
"By catching things early we have an opportunity to prevent the often premature and unnecessary deaths of our whānau."
Robson is the kaiwhakahaere for the Taranaki Toa Mounga Tri Series that promotes health and well-being through regular exercise.
Under both kaupapa, he has pedalled thousands of kilometres, however, this year's ride ends on his home soil.
Taranaki man Alf Robson has been involved in the kaupapa since the beginning. Photo: Supplied
"Cervical cancer and prostate cancers are some of the most treatable cancers, but you have to catch it early.
"So, this is a call out to all whānau, to get together and either come down to see us or get in touch with your health provider."
This year, the Prostate Cancer Foundation have teamed up with the ride to encourage men to get tested for the cancer.
Former Te Pāti Māori co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell was a long-time advocate of the #SmearYourMea campaign and biked alongside Robson in the Ride For Talei journey.
He was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in 2023, sharing his story on social media.
"We are losing too many whānau to cancer that could have been treated if it was caught early enough.
"I want to urge everyone to please visit their health provider and get themselves tested. It could be a life-saving decision," the post read.
Health promotion events will be held at:
Thursday 20 February - Ōwae Marae, Waitara, 6pm - 7pm
Friday 21 February - Te Kura Kauaoa Māori o Tamarongo, Ōpunake, 2pm - 4pm
Saturday 22 February - TSB Hub, Hāwera, 12.30pm - 3pm
Sunday 23 February - Maize Maze, Inglwood, 12.30pm - 2.30pm
There will be access to free HPV testing for women and more information about cervical and prostate cancer including how to access free testing locally.
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