Tali and Tui’s boxfit sessions are a knockout

Tali and Tui say coaching boxfit is their way of being good role models to children, both their own and the neighbours. More than anything else in life, they aspire to be good dads.

“We didn’t have great childhoods, and we remember feeling lonely and unwanted,” says Tali who, with his wife Siu, has four children. “It’s important to me that my kids feel loved and wanted. I believe that what children need most is time, so I spend as much time as possible with them.”

Tali started boxfit sessions two years ago with his son, Kele, now 10. “He was getting bullied, and he asked me to teach him how to fight. I said, ‘You don’t need to know how to fight, you need to know how to make friends.’

“I thought boxfit looked like something fun we could do together, so I bought a punch bag and gloves then googled the instructions. Right away, neighbourhood kids asked to join in. Since then, I’ve focused on helping all the kids gain confidence and fitness, to be leaders.”

Soon, coaching sessions were so popular that Tali needed help. He called on his brother-in-law Tui and approached Kāinga Ora for support. Kirsten, Coordinator for Community Development and Engagement, helped them assemble a collection of boxing gear, and to timetable regular sessions in the complex’s shared spaces. Sparring practise is closely supervised inside the community room, while fitness drills continue in the playground.

Now the pair run a free after-school programme three afternoons a week, coaching around 20 children per session.

“What Tali and Tui are doing is very generous and it’s having a hugely positive impact on the children. Now they’re demonstrating leadership qualities by looking out for each other and taking care of the community room,” says Kirsten.

“This is exactly what our community rooms are about: spaces where customers can come together to share their knowledge and skills, to get to know each other. It’s not about boxing, it’s about relationships.”

For Tali and Tui, it’s a dream come true. “For us, life is about giving what we have to kids because you don’t know what they’re going through. Maybe they’re not getting what they need, and we can do something small to make a difference,” says Tui. “We’re there to give what we can - maybe through our classes we can make a kid who’s sad feel good.”