A Boxing Academy started by the U Turn Trust just 12 months ago is "changing lives" for the better.
Using the disciplines of Olympic style amateur boxing, Flaxmere Boxing Academy is giving young men from throughout the region something positive to focus on, inspiring them to become leaders.
"We are creating a new ilk of man, one that respects and loves women and family - boxing is the vehicle to do that," Henare O'Keefe says.
"I have had this in the back of my mind for about five years now, it's about taking our beloved suburb of Flaxmere forward, it fits with other community programmes that we have like Flaxmere Heroes, the community garden and Tunu Tunu."
The academy teaches values of dedication, determination, discipline and respect with classes for eight to 15 year olds as well as 16 plus, three afternoons and evenings a week, with a forth session added during boxing season.