An Otago University PHd candidate in physical education and exercise science is taking programmes tailored to Pacific Islanders back to his ancestral homeland, the Cook Islands.

Troy Ruhe is in his eighth year of study and expects to complete his PhD this year.

He has used his knowledge and prowess in sport and Polynesian dance to get Pacific communities moving, both in Dunedin and the Cook Islands.

As he told Don Wiseman his study revolves around an exercise programme he developed called ‘Niu Movement.’