What if the secret to a happier, healthier community wasn't another programme, app or initiative? What if it was simply a bunch of women getting together, backing each other, having a laugh — and refusing to sit on the sidelines?
That's exactly what The Handles are doing.
This incredible group of North Shore women is showing all of us what happens when friendship, community spirit and a willingness to get out there collide. The result is infectious — and it's exactly the kind of story VelaOra exists to celebrate.
Stopping Watching. Starting Living.
In a world where many women spend years organising everyone else's lives, supporting everyone else's goals, and cheering from the sidelines — The Handles are a powerful reminder that it is never too late to have adventures of your own.
And they're not just doing it for themselves. They're creating connections, building community, supporting local causes and inspiring others to get involved. They're proving that life after 40 isn't about slowing down. It's about saying — why not?
What makes The Handles so inspiring isn't elite sporting ability or competition. It's their attitude. Their willingness to try. To show up. To support each other. To laugh at themselves. To embrace challenges. To stop worrying about looking silly and start enjoying life.
The ripple effect is enormous. When our children see us participating instead of spectating, they learn that growth never stops.
When women encourage other women, confidence spreads. When communities see people connecting face-to-face, everyone benefits. Groups like The Handles remind us that community doesn't happen by accident. It happens because ordinary people decide to make extraordinary efforts to bring people together.
Community Support Matters
A huge shout-out to Fantail & Turtle, Bunnings New Zealand, and Handle Solutions for supporting this fantastic movement. Strong communities are built when local businesses invest in local people — and it's no coincidence that the team that names itself The Handles is backed by a North Shore hardware company called Handle Solutions. Some sponsorships are just meant to be.
Why We Love This at VelaOra
At VelaOra, we love seeing stories that bring together wellbeing, connection and purpose. The Handles tick every box. Our communities need more of this.
More women saying yes. More friendships. More movement. More fun. More people stepping outside their comfort zones and discovering they are capable of far more than they imagined.
A Challenge to Every Woman Reading This
The Handles have shown us what is possible when a group of women decide to stop waiting and start living. And they're showing the rest of us exactly how it's done.
VelaOra celebrates health, wellbeing, connection, community and living life with purpose. We believe the strongest communities are built when people support each other, stay active and continue growing at every stage of life. If you have a story like The Handles that we should be telling — get in touch.
Stories like this one, every week — plus science-backed women's health guidance, NZ wellness deals, and the VelaOra community.
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The Handles are just one of thousands of stories like this happening across NZ right now. We want to hear yours. What do you want to know more about? What keeps you awake at night — literally or otherwise? How can VelaOra help?
Come and tell us on Substack — share your news, your ideas for future articles, and the questions nobody is answering for you yet. This community is only as good as the women in it.
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