Student to walk length of country for Arthritis New Zealand   27 Sep 2016

Media release – Otago Polytechnic

For immediate release, Tuesday 27 September

Kazushi Noiri

Student to walk length of country for Arthritis New Zealand

An Otago Polytechnic nursing student will embark on an epic quest to walk the length of New Zealand next month to raise money for Arthritis New Zealand.

29-year old Kazushi (Kaz) Noiri has been training every day for months in preparation for the 2244-kilometre journey from Bluff to Cape Reinga, which he will start on World Arthritis Day, Wednesday 12 October. He aims to complete the journey in 66 days, finishing in mid-December and clocking up anywhere from 17 to 63 kilometres – or about three to 13 hours – of walking each day.

“I'm currently a volunteer for an aged care organisation and I understand how hard everyday life can be with arthritis,” Kaz explains. “I decided to put some time and effort into this challenge to spread the awareness of arthritis and support Arthritis New Zealand. The more people that know about Arthritis New Zealand, the greater their impact.”

He hopes to raise $5000 and has set up a fundraising web page for donations: https://give.everydayhero.com/nz/exploremoregivemore

Kaz acknowledges that it is a huge task given the long distance he has to cover, but says he is truly excited by the adventure.

“I love the outdoors and being active, and have always had an idea of walking the entire length of this beautiful country, Aotearoa,” says Kaz, who is originally from Japan. “As I’ll be on my own on the road, it would be brilliant if there are some people keen to join me for any distance while I’m out there.”

There are more than 140 different types of arthritis, and 620,000 New Zealanders have a diagnosis of the chronic condition – including 1000 children.

“This is an amazing undertaking by Kaz to raise awareness of our work,” says Sandra Kirby, Chief Executive of Arthritis New Zealand, “and we look forward to meeting him as he passes through Wellington. We also hope to be able to join in the walk with him in some centres, and will be promoting his efforts widely.”

During his noble endeavor, the second-year Bachelor of Nursing student becomes the latest face of Otago Polytechnic’s annual Explore More NZ campaign, which profiles New Zealand as a study destination to prospective international students around the globe. The successful summer campaign has previously been fronted by German business student Marius Manietta and Filipino pop sensation and tourism student Kimpoy Feliciano.

Otago Polytechnic’s Acting Director: Communications, Matt Carter, says the institute is delighted to sponsor Kaz’s remarkable journey.

“Kaz is a true inspiration – not only to staff and students of Otago Polytechnic, but also to the wider community,” he says. “We applaud his sense of adventure and his desire to make a difference, and we are behind him all the way as he takes on this monumental challenge.”

Otago Polytechnic is encouraging other potential sponsors to come forward to support Kaz, particularly to help with providing accommodation and food on his long journey, and transport back to Dunedin once the walk is complete.

The New Zealand Rural General Practice Network has already offered Kaz accommodation in Wellington and Levin.

“We’re hopeful other businesses will come on board to help Kaz achieve his dream and raise the most money possible for Arthritis New Zealand,” says Mr Carter.

In a fitting coincidence, this epic adventure takes place in a milestone year for Arthritis New Zealand and Otago Polytechnic, which are both celebrating their 50th anniversaries in 2016.

“It’s a fantastic way to end such a special year,” says Sandra Kirby from Arthritis New Zealand.

-ENDS-

Web links:

Watch Kaz in this great video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksi8gDCJrDE

Explore More NZ page: www.facebook.com/exploremoreNZ/

Fundraising page: https://give.everydayhero.com/nz/exploremoregivemore

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