Dave Letele
Dave Letele is a community activist and founder of Buttabean Motivation (BBM), which focuses on fitness and nutrition programs for individuals facing obesity and health challenges in South and West Auckland. He has been vocal about the need for more research and awareness of the unhealthy food environment affecting his community.
Not in the pool (under ¢1).
Recent news mentions
Dave Letele is the founder of the From the Couch program that helped James McDiarmid in his weight loss journey.
‘From the Couch’ to award winner: How community fitness programme helped 300kg dad reclaim his life
New Zealand· 2026-02-21
Manu Vatuvei has found a renewed passion for boxing after working at former heavyweight champion Dave Letele’s gym.
Manu Vatuvei reveals how meth sentence and prison term changed his lifeNew Zealand· 2026-02-08
Former boxer Letele, aka the Brown Buttabean, described it as 'poverty porn'.
Dave Letele accuses Westpac of ‘poverty porn’ over BBM foodbank visitNew Zealand· 2025-11-12
Community leader Dave Letele discusses the growing gap between the haves and have-nots in New Zealand.
Is New Zealand broken? The Elephant asks Dave Letele and Shamubeel EaqubNew Zealand· 2025-11-05
Dave Letele is a motivational speaker featured in the article.
Teacher strikes, wedding fails, internet regulation and the humble potatoNew Zealand· 2025-08-14
Dave Letele expressed that Kemp’s death was 'very sad' and highlighted her contributions to the community.
Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp has died following kidney diseaseNew Zealand· 2025-06-25
Vatuvei owes a lot to Dave Letele for taking him under his wing and giving him the opportunity to work hard and give back to the community.
Former NZ Warriors star Manu Vatuvei moving on from drug convictionNew Zealand· 2025-05-22
Community activist Dave Letele runs BBM fitness and nutrition programmes aimed at people with obesity.
Dining in the dark: How outdated nutrition data is undermining public healthNew Zealand· 2025-04-15
