I grew up in Otara and can’t remember a time when I wasn’t active. We lived in a cul-de-sac, which was great for blocking off and setting up a street game. Every night we’d be out til dark with Mum calling us in for dinner. But we’d always be saying: ”Aw, come on, Mum, just one more go.”

It’s one of those special days in Manukau that I think are really worth celebrating. Twenty years is a long time. And who knows how many hundreds of thousands, or maybe even millions, of people have used the centre and enjoyed it since then.

So I really enjoyed the chance I got to rub shoulders with people who had done just that recently by finishing Manukau Leisure’s annual “No More Excuses” eight-week fitness challenge.

Over 120 people signed up for the challenge. And when I joined them in the final workout and graduation sessions you could see how they all had really inspired each other and kept each other going. After all, 50 seconds is a long time when you are doing push-ups!