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Heartland Bank is proud to give back to the Mid Canterbury community by supporting the development of emerging leaders through sport and physical wellbeing.

For four years, Heartland Bank has sponsored Tātai Whetū Waitaha through a grant provided by the Heartland Trust. This programme uses sport as a foundation to foster personal growth and wellbeing, connecting athletes with world-class experts in health and holistic support across Waitaha.

Reo (pictured above) is a dedicated karate-ka from Christchurch and has experienced significant growth over the past year through the Tātai Whetū Waitaha programme.

When Reo first joined Tātai Whetū Waitaha, he was under immense pressure. Balancing intense training loads with difficult weight cuts and struggling to gain momentum in senior competitions, he was close to burnout. “That first session with Programme Lead, Ged, was a turning point,” Reo reflects. “It helped me understand my values, what I need to perform well, and what I’d been missing.”

Since then, Reo has tapped into the programme’s full support network, including mental skills coaching, nutrition advice, strength training and personal development. Working with a mental wellbeing coach has been particularly transformative. “He’s helped me reset how I prepare mentally before competitions. Now I can recognise when I’m in the zone, stay focused, and read what’s happening around me during a match. That awareness has changed the way I compete.”

Nutrition guidance has also been vital for Reo, who competes in a weight-class sport. The programme’s nutritionist helped him develop a balanced and strategic approach to weight management, keeping him healthy and energised without sacrificing performance.

When asked what stands out most about being part of Tātai Whetū Waitaha, he said, “the South Island can feel isolating when you’re trying to make it in sport. Tātai Whetū Waitaha made me realise that I’m not alone, and that with the right support, anything is possible”.

The Heartland Trust is a registered charitable trust that is independent from, but closely supported by, Heartland Bank. The Trust is proud to give back to the communities in which Heartland Bank operates, including in the areas of education and learning, arts and culture, mental health and wellbeing, and sport and physical wellbeing.

Learn more at www.heartland.co.nz/about-us/sponsorship