Salty Steppers

30/08/2026

💗👣 OUR 5 MILLION STEP CHALLENGE — HERE’S HOW TO COUNT YOUR STEPS! 👣💗

The countdown is on and we start tomorrow, 1 September! 🎉

This September, the Salty Steppers community is joining together to reach an amazing 5 MILLION PINK STEPS in support of the Pauanui Pink Ribbon Walk on Saturday 3 October. 🎀

And remember — everyone can take part! You don’t need to be a line dancer. Every step from walking, gardening, shopping, dancing, walking the dog or simply going about your day can help us reach our goal.

📱 HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR STEPS

We’ve made it nice and easy!

1️⃣ Track your steps
Use your smartwatch or your phone to keep track of your daily steps. I'm writing my total of each day on a piece of paper and will tally at the end of the week.

2️⃣ Scan the QR CODE 📲
Use your phone camera to scan the QR code below.

3️⃣ Enter your details
The QR code will take you to our step-counting form. Enter your name and your step total.

4️⃣ Submit your steps 👣
Do this once a week so we can keep adding everyone's steps together.

5️⃣ WATCH OUR TOTAL GROW! 🎉
We’ll keep everyone updated on how close we are getting to our 5 MILLION STEP GOAL!

💡 Not sure how to scan a QR code?
Don’t worry! Ask someone who knows, bring your phone along to class, or ask me and we’ll get you sorted. 😊

This is not about who takes the most steps.

It’s about thousands of little steps adding up to something BIG.💗

So get that phone or smartwatch counting and let’s get stepping!

👣 5 MILLION STEPS. ONE AMAZING COMMUNITY. ONE VERY IMPORTANT CAUSE. 🎀

27/08/2026

Meet our Stepper - Tina Aitken

I am 52 years old and live in the amazing town of Whangamata. I grew up here, moved away at 17 years old, have been away for 30 years and came back 5 years ago, I feel like I have come back home.

I am with the Coastal Rockers (rock n roll dancing) in Whangamata. Several of our rock'n'rollers do line dancing and they sometimes show us some dances at our club night, so I thought I would give it a go.

I enjoy(finally) getting the routine, I enjoy the music, I love Donna's energy, fun and encouragement, I love having a break in my day to get some exercise and have fun.

I love most music so don't really have a favourite. I would be happy to get up and dance anywhere in the world (if I had someone to follow!).

Everyone should give it a go, we all had to start somewhere and not everyone has rhythm, and it doesn't matter, as long as you are having fun!

You can find our more about Tina Aitken by going to https://www.saltysteppers.co.nz/meet-the-steppers

26/08/2026

💗 EVERY STEP COUNTS THIS SEPTEMBER! 💗

This September, the Salty Steppers are stepping up for a cause that touches so many families.

We’re supporting the Pauanui Pink Ribbon Walk on Saturday 3 October, and we’ve set ourselves a BIG club challenge…

🎯 5 MILLION PINK STEPS DURING SEPTEMBER!

📱⌚ GET YOUR SMART WATCHES & SMART PHONES READY!💗

And if you’re thinking, “I have absolutely NO idea how to count my steps…”😂 — don’t panic!

Borrow a smart watch from someone who knows what they’re doing, grab your phone, ask a clever friend or family member to show you… because from NEXT WEEK, from 1 September, we’re going to be counting STEPS! 👣

And here’s the best bit…

EVERYONE who follows this page can join in!*🥳

You don’t have to be a Salty Steppers dancer. You don’t even have to be a line dancer!

Your steps can come from:
👣 Line dancing
👣 Walking
👣 Gardening
👣 Shopping
👣 Walking the dog
👣 Chasing the grandkids
👣 Or simply moving a little more each day!

HOW IT WORKS

📱 Track your daily steps on your phone or smartwatch.

📊 We'll show you how to submit your total each week.

➕ We’ll add everyone’s steps together.

🎯 We’ll watch our total climb towards 5 MILLION STEPS!

🎀 Then we’ll celebrate together at the Pauanui Pink Ribbon Walk on Saturday 3 October. If you can't join us on 3 October - that's OK - you can still participate in the steps challenge.

This isn’t about who can do the most steps.

It’s about what WE can achieve together. ❤️

So… this post is a heads up ...

Get your phone ready.
Find that smart watch.
Ask someone tech-savvy for help.
And start getting those steps in! 👣💗

Wear pink. Count your steps. Encourage a friend.

Let’s show what the Salty Steppers community can do!

Together, every step counts. 💗

25/08/2026

Rest in love Dolly. Such a beautiful woman inside and out and what a wonderful life!

Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 80 years old.

Dolly is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years Carl Thomas Dean (1942 – 2025), her mother Avie Lee Caroline Owens (1923 – 2003), and father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. (1921 – 2000).

A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family. Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.

At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family. Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at www.imaginationlibrary.com

24/08/2026

Not Every Dance Is Your Favourite! 💃🕺

This came up in conversation today… one of my dancers said she LOVED a particular dance.

Another dancer immediately said, “That’s my least favourite dance!” 😂

And it got me thinking…

There are definitely dances I don't particularly LOVE either. But you know what? I can see the enjoyment that other people get from them — and honestly, that's enough for me! ❤️

I’m also part of an instructors’ group, and this very same topic came up recently. Some instructors were tying themselves in knots trying to work out how to make sure everyone loved every dance.

But I don't think that's possible — or even necessary!

My aim for a class is simple:

💃 A good balance of dances
🎶 A variety of music and styles
😊 Something for everyone
❤️ And most importantly… an enjoyable time together!

Because quite frankly, I'm there to dance (and giggle) — and I know you are too! 😄

And here's the best bit…

Those dances that aren't your favourite? Well, they'll be gone in a few weeks anyway! 😂

So maybe we just embrace the fact that we won't all love the same dances.

You might be grinning from ear to ear while I'm thinking, Really? THIS one again?”🤣

And that's perfectly okay.

Different favourites. Same love of dancing. 🧡

23/08/2026

🧡 WE'RE TURNING ONE! 🧡

And what better way to celebrate than by DANCING! 👢💃

I’m back and there’s HEAPS to choose from this week — and because Salty Steppers is celebrating our 1st birthday, ALL CLASSES ARE FREE! 🎉🥳

That’s right… come along, bring a friend, give it a go and celebrate with us!

📅 YOUR WEEK OF FREE LINE DANCING

MONDAY – PAUANUI
📍 Pauanui Club Recreation Hall
8.00am – Give It A Go
8.45am – General Class – Absolute Beginners & Beginners

TUESDAY – WHANGAMATA
📍 Whangamata Club
1.00pm – Give It A Go
1.30pm – General Class – Absolute Beginners & Beginners

WEDNESDAY – TAIRUA
📍 Hikuai Hall
3.00pm – Improver
4.00pm – General Class – Absolute Beginners & Beginners

FRIDAY – TAIRUA
📍 Tairua Fishing Club
8.00am – Give It A Go
8.45am – General Class – Absolute Beginners & Beginners

🧡 ONE YEAR.
🧡 HUNDREDS OF DANCERS.
🧡 HEAPS OF NEW FRIENDSHIPS.
🧡 AND SO MANY DANCES!

Come and help us celebrate our first year of Salty Steppers. Whether you’ve been dancing with us since the beginning or have never tried line dancing before — THIS WEEK IS YOUR WEEK!

No partner needed. No experience needed. Just bring yourself and your dancing shoes! 👢

🎉 ALL CLASSES FREE THIS WEEK! 🎉

Let’s make our first birthday one to remember!

20/08/2026

Meet our Stepper - LeeAnne Macready

Pauanui has been my home for the past 15 years. My husband, our two young daughters and I moved up from Christchurch, seeking firmer ground following the devastating earthquakes. Arriving here felt like we’d landed in paradise, especially with the beautiful beaches and amazing hikes on our back door step.

Some of you may have seen me around the Village at Hello Friday where I’ve worked for the past 10 years. It’s been a real delight getting to know our lovely customers, and I fondly refer to work as my “happy place”.

I’ve always had a passion for dance - from ballet to ballroom as a youngster to Ceroc as an adult, fitting in classes at the iconic Pineapple Dance Studios in London while on my OE many years ago!

So when I heard Donna was starting up Line Dancing classes in Pauanui my ears pricked up! I was hesitant about trying something new however, as sadly I’d recently lost my beloved husband. But I summoned the courage to come along to the first class, and to my great surprise I couldn’t stop smiling!

Donna’s classes are fun, welcoming and supportive. The music and camaraderie keep me coming back each week and my new challenge is the improver class. I would absolutely recommend anyone who’s been thinking about it to come along and give line dancing a go.

Find out more about LeeAnne by clicking here https://www.saltysteppers.co.nz/meet-the-steppers

19/08/2026

🌊💃 HELP ME BUILD THE ULTIMATE WHITIANGA OCEANS FESTIVAL LINE DANCE FOLLOW ALONG! 💃🌊

I’ve got a little challenge for my Salty Steppers crew…

Imagine you have a whole crowd of people who have NEVER line danced before — and your job is to get them ALL onto the dance floor! 😍

What is your absolute favourite beginner dance that you think would have even the most nervous first-timer thinking:

👉 “Hey… I can actually do this!” 😂

I’m looking for dances that are:
✔️ Super beginner friendly
✔️ Easy to pick up quickly
✔️ Fun and energetic
✔️ Have a great “everyone on the floor” feel
✔️ Ideally have a song that people know and love 🎶

I’ve got the Whitianga Oceans Festival in mind 🌊 and I’d LOVE your recommendations!

What’s the one dance you would choose to get a crowd of non-line dancers hooked?

Drop your suggestions below ⬇️
And if you’ve got a few… give me your TOP 3!

Let’s see what the line dancing community comes up with! 🧡🖤