NZBMA

10/04/2026

👌

30/03/2026

🚀 Optimise Your Stride with Expert Biomechanical Support at NZBMA!

Great shoes are just the start. 👟
Pair them with expert biomechanical insight from your Body Mechanic Treatment to run stronger, perform better and stay injury-free.

📍 Book your Body Mechanic session, located within Frontrunner Colombo - NZ Run Specialty Store in Christchurch.

👉 Visit www.nzbma.com to book your appointment now!

24/03/2026

Kia ora all,
We are reaching out to clarify some confusion regarding Dawn and her current situation. We understand that some may have missed our previous emails, social media updates or the prominent notice on our website. We are providing this definitive update so the information is clear and can be shared accurately. This should provide context for those whose appointments have been cancelled, as well as for those seeking to book with Dawn in the future.

Dawn’s Services:
Dawn is very unwell and is currently unable to work in any capacity. She is not returning to NZBMA, nor is she offering massage services to past or current clients for the foreseeable future. While we appreciate the many recommendations, being a true testament to her decade of heart-led work, her health must now come first.

Communication and Boundaries:
If you wish to reach out to Dawn personally please do so at your discretion. However please keep the following in mind:
- Capacity: She may not be able to respond to messages.
- Privacy: Please refrain from asking about the specifics of her health. This is a private matter and if you were meant to know the details you would already be aware of them.
- Business: Please do not contact her regarding bookings or any business matters. This creates weight she cannot carry right now.
What Dawn needs most is space, kindness and time to heal without pressure. It is easy to imagine how challenging the inability to work is for her, so we ask that you please show decorum.

Enquiries:
Wayne is managing enquiries as best as he can within his own capacity. Please note, Wayne has specialised and his Body Mechanic service is unique. Equally, he does not offer the same treatments Dawn once did. If you require a recommendation for a different therapist, we are happy to assist. We ask that you remain mindful of these boundaries and show the same respect we have come to expect from our community.

Cheers

16/03/2026

Hi all,
Here is the latest email sharing our honest update from NZBMA, it has now been sent out to our mail list. In this email, explains what this means will for NZBMA's future. If you haven't received an email due to not being subscribe or whatever, this link (hopefully) takes you to our email. Feel free to share this around as this will become a talking point and we would rather shed clear light on the upcoming changes. Thank you, we hold gratitude to everyone who has supported us past, present and future.

https://www.nzbma.com/campaigns/view-campaign/0AjJgW1w8NFL-NLTQ7tSvPS4u4UEeW1v5baHohfzhv9eC2-YaqtxXBPat40XFVSdA1aUUzidTH0rXihVPtF6fuXNXjk8iIz-

15/03/2026

Little update: we are preparing an email for all those on our mailing list. It has been a very difficult email to write and we hope you will understand why when you read it.

If you are not on our mailing list, we aim to share the update on social media pages. Otherwise word will spread around eventually. 

Thank you again for all the well wishes for Dawn ❤️

15/03/2026

We love a good educational foot video, enjoy 🦶

https://youtu.be/_ZfkRMtrrfA?si=lZ6fD-LFjevbnm82

08/03/2026

Hi all,

Just a small update on how Dawn is getting on. We are now six weeks into her recovery, unfortunately, we still do not have a clear timeline for when she will be able to return to work.

To everyone who has checked in or shown support to Dawn or Wayne, we truly appreciate it. Your messages and kindness have meant a lot.

For those patiently waiting for Dawn’s magic hands to return. We’ll promise to keep you updated as soon as we know when she can be back and what her capability will look like. We’re a Mother and Son duo while doing our best at navigating this situation, the impact and challenges of running a business together. Apologies for any communication issues or misshapes and thank you for your patience while we work through this difficult time.

Cheers,
NZBMA

13/02/2026

Afternoon humans,

Some of you may already know, but for those who don’t, Dawn has been doing a brief tour of the hospital over the past three weeks and has unfortunately checked back in for a few more nights.

Yes, this does mean that anyone eagerly awaiting their upcoming appointment with her will need to be rescheduled. We will be in touch with those affected. For everyone else, carry on relaxing, this is not your problem 😉

Thanks for your patience and understanding while we let her collect a few more hospital loyalty points.

Cheers and have a great evening and weekend (remember it’s valentine day tomorrow)

29/12/2025

Here’s a little biased overview on the following article which discusses cognitive decline as we age, yielding interesting findings!

👨‍🔧 Happy reading and share what you think about this topic.

Recent investigations into age related cognitive decline have revealed that alterations in brain function commence earlier than previously anticipated, with evidence indicating a nonlinear pattern of progression. A comprehensive analysis conducted by Antal et al. (2025) integrated data from multiple large-scale cohorts, encompassing physiological biomarkers, gene expression profiles and neuroimaging results from over 19,300 participants across diverse age groups. Through advanced statistical modeling, including nonlinear regression techniques, the trajectory of brain aging was mapped, demonstrating an initial inflection point around age 44 where cognitive abilities begin to exhibit measurable deceleration. This transition intensifies, reaching maximum acceleration by approximately age 67, before stabilising near age 90. Such patterns were derived from cross-sectional and longitudinal datasets, allowing for significant inference on age-related shifts without reliance on arbitrary linear assumptions.

Moreover, the underlying mechanism identified in this research pertains to neuronal insulin resistance, whereby brain cells progressively impair their capacity to utilise glucose via insulin-dependent pathways. Also, biomarker assessments, including metabolic profiling and positron emission tomography scans, illustrated that hypometabolism emerges in midlife, particularly affecting regions such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, which are critical for memory and executive function. Gene expression data further implicated the insulin-dependent glucose transporter GLUT4 and the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene, the latter recognised for its association with elevated Alzheimer’s disease susceptibility. These genetic factors contribute to disrupted energy homeostasis, manifesting as oxidative stress and diminished neural network stability. In parallel, vascular and inflammatory markers were evaluated, revealing that dysregulated glucose metabolism serves as the primary driver, preceding secondary pathological changes.

Furthermore, an interventional component of the study involved 101 participants aged 40 to 79, who received ketone supplementation to bypass insulin-mediated glucose uptake. Equally important, when administered in a controlled, calorically matched design against glucose controls, ketones were shown to restore brain network functionality, with optimal effects observed in the 40 to 59 age bracket. This stabilisation was quantified through functional magnetic resonance imaging, highlighting reduced metabolic stress and enhanced neuronal resilience. However, limitations noted include the cross-sectional nature of some data, potential confounding by lifestyle variables and the need for longer-term follow-up to assess sustained benefits. Additionally, future directions proposed encompass randomised trials targeting metabolic interventions in at-risk populations.

Therefore, these findings emphasise the importance of metabolic health in mitigating cognitive deterioration, prompting a reevaluation of preventive strategies. As such, evidence suggests lifestyle modifications, such as periodic fasting or low-carbohydrate dietary regimens, alongside physical activity and cognitive engagement, may enhance alternative fuel utilisation in the brain. By addressing neuronal insulin resistance during the midlife window, substantial delays in age-related decline could be achieved, aligning with broader epidemiological observations on metabolic disorders and neurodegeneration.

Reference�Antal, B., van Nieuwenhuizen, W. F., Chesebro, A. G., Jones, C. N., Clarke, C. M., Weistuch, C., Ratai, E.-M., Dill, K. A., & Mujica-Parodi, L. R. (2025). Brain aging shows nonlinear transitions, suggesting a midlife “critical window” for metabolic intervention. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 122(10). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2416433122

20/12/2025

🏊‍♂️ As Parakiore is promoted as Christchurch’s premier aquatic facility and is publicly endorsed for its 10 lane, 50 metre indoor competition pool with a depth slightly over 2 metres. As well as including a moveable wall that allows the space to be divided into 2 x 25 metre pools, creating a total of 20 available/bookable lanes, along with a accessible floor that can be raised at one end while the other remains at full depth.

🤷 What follows outlines how the Council intends to maximise weekly access, using information taken directly from its website. (whereby frustration becomes unavoidable, if you know, you know). Using a swim sport specific lens, as well as recognising swimming remains a major participation and performance sport regardless of population per capita, the following ‘access model’ deserves close scrutiny (removing the “teething” biases).

💧50 metre mode: 10 lanes available (rentable) for a total of 42 hours per week.
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 5.30 am to 8.00 am (2.5 hours per day, total 7.5 hours)
- Tuesday and Thursday: 5.30 am to 9.30 pm (16 hours per day, total 32 hours)
- Saturday: 7.00 am to 9.30 am (2.5 hours)
- Sunday: 0 hours (No 50 metre mode listed)

💦25 metre mode: 20 lanes available (rentable) for a total of 60 hours per week.
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9.00 am to 9.30 pm (12.5 hours per day, total 37.5 hours)
- Tuesday and Thursday: 0 hours (No 25 metre mode listed)
- Saturday: 10.30 am to 8.00 pm (9.5 hours)
- Sunday: 7.00 am to 8.00 pm (13 hours)

🌊Weekly summary of Christchurch’s only indoor 50 metre pool
- 50 metre mode: 42 hours per week
- 25 metre mode: 60 hours per week

Regardless of how economical or fair some may believe a 60 hour allocation to a 25 metre configuration to be, this scheduling reinforces the ongoing marginalisation of long course swimming. New Zealand does not hold a meaningful presence in short course world swimming pathways or events. If it did, this would already be evident through Jellie Park’s long standing 25 metre competition facilities or QEII would’ve sustained such demand on construction/completion. Instead, monopoly access to long course training continues to be constrained. Goes without saying, but by restricting exposure to 50 metre swimming, directly weakens training quality, performance development and long term sport health. This is occurring in a city that has already endured more than a decade without consistent access to a full length indoor 50 metre pool. For many swimmers, having a 50 metre pool means exactly that: the ability to regularly train over the full length in a council funded facility that is supposed to serve everyone.

🕵️ On equitable terms, Christchurch currently has 6 publicly accessible indoor 25 metre council-run pools, such facilities are:
- Graham Condon Pool, Papanui (8 lane 25 metre pool)
- Jellie Park, Burnside (8 lane 25 metre, 2m deep sport pool, post earthquake, was a main competition space for swimming, waterpolo, etc. plus a 25m recreational pool)
- Matatiki, Hornby Centre(8 lane 25 metre pool)
- Pioneer Recreation Centre, Somerfield (5 lane 25 metre pool)
- Tairora QEII, New Brighton (10 lane 25 metre by 25 metre pool with an adjustable floor)
- Te Pou Toetoe, Linwood (6 lane 25 metre pool)
💥Importantly, Jellie Park’s 50 yard outdoor “summer pool” (with its shallow depth), is excluded from this discussion for reasons relating to contemporary swimming regulations.

Equally, without listing every swim club, privately owned pool/complex or detailing every development pathway, the point remains clear. Fair access, equitable resourcing and long term planning matters. They matter for athletes, for community participation and for future generations whose opportunities should not continue to be limited by decisions that prioritise convenience over sport sustainability. After everything Christchurch has lost to natural disaster, access to a genuine, fully functional long course pool should not feel akin to something that can be quietly eroded or continuously erased.

Thereby, raising a fundamental question. Is a 60/40 split being reinvented in an environment wherein there’s already a 6 to 1 imbalance of council run 25 metre pools to a single 50 metre pool for recreation, long distance training, multidisciplinary activities and spectatorship? Or are we forcing all disciplines into a reduced capacity environment to satisfy competing demands at once, driven by funding constraints, poorly designed systems and long standing failures in infrastructure planning?

15/12/2025

Dynamic stretching and strengthening for functional mobility is recommended over generic static stretching. This video is for those tight hipped humans 😉

If you're dealing with `tight hips` and finding that common `stretching exercises` aren't providing relief, this video is for you. Discover three easy `hip m...

14/12/2025

Little reminder to workout those feet 👣

https://youtube.com/shorts/Ed0BjBEh5sE?si=d9iuQ6qgR1IdyvMU