Our Journey, Together
Kia ora, I’m Riana Tamati — founder of The Zone, a health and wellness hub in the heart of Whanganui.
At The Zone, we bring together everything you need to thrive — from functional fitness classes and a recovery studio to nourishing kai and trusted supplements.
Our mission is simple: to support and empower you on your health and wellness journey.
My Story
At 21, I underwent five operations for sports-related injuries within just two years. While this was one of the most challenging periods of my life, it inspired me to create a health and wellness hub to support others on similar journeys. My passion for health and fitness began with my love of sport, especially rugby. Losing that part of my life was incredibly difficult to accept, and for a time, my own health and fitness suffered. However, working in the health and fitness space has reignited that passion and introduced me to so many amazing people whose journeys I’ve been privileged to be part of.
What began as small functional classes in a local boxing gym with just six members has now grown into a thriving community of more than 120 members in our current space. I’ve had the honour of training people of all ages and backgrounds — from rangatahi and professional sports teams to athletes, mums, and everyone in between. One of the highlights of my journey has been running school holiday programmes that keep our rangatahi active and teach them the importance of exercise. I am also proud to provide the only space in Whanganui where mums can bring their babies while they train, helping to remove barriers for women to prioritise their wellbeing.
As a proud Māori wahine and owner of four businesses at just 22, I recognise that none of this would have been possible without the incredible support of those around me. My journey has been shaped not only by resilience and passion, but also by the collective strength of my community.