Founder of the Brown Buttabean Motivation Programme in Manukau, Auckland and retired professional boxer David Letele also known as Buttabean is the winner of the 2022 Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year award.
The winners were announced last night during a special televised online ceremony of the 13th Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa.
David’s BBM programme is a free community and wellbeing programme aimed at inspiring Kiwis to get fit and healthy. Letele has also shared his weight loss story over the past few years losing over 100 kgs.
The BBM has attracted thousands of members who have joined his gym that he created and is free.
He also created BBM foodshare helping more than 700 families with food parcels. He has recently opened a community kitchen to help families and vulnerable people. BMM programmes has expanded its reach opening a site in West Auckland.
David is credited for creating a non-judgemental atmosphere to encourage physical wellbeing. In 2021 the Ministry of Health agreed to provide funding of $500,000 towards the BBM programme.
Congratulations to the 2022 winners:
- David Letele: NZ Local Hero of the Year
- Charmaine Bailie: NZ Environmental Hero of the Year
- Mark Sagar PHD FRSNZ: NZ Innovator of the Year
- Ezra Hirawani: Young NZ of the Year
- Matakoa Community: NZ Community of the Year
- Rereata Makiha: Senior NZ of the Year
- Ta Tipene O’Regan: New Zealander of the Year
