Boxing event aims body blow at gang influence

Kawerau's entrenched gang culture is worth fighting against, says former gang associate Warwick Godfrey.
Mr Godfrey is the driving force behind The Fight For the Future - an entertainment extravaganza to acknowledge the gang problems of the town and develop a concept to provide healthy lifestyle choices for youth.
First up on the night will be a boxing exhibition that pits local community role models including police, firefighters, rugby players and gym members against Te Wananga o Aotearoa ki Kawerau sports students.
"Te Wananga o Aotearoa ki Kawerau sports students are all Maori or Pacific second-chance learners and backgrounds include long-term unemployment, ex-gang membership, ex-prison inmates, solo parents and survivors of drug and alcohol abuse and domestic violence," Mr Godfrey said.
"Police are at the frontline of Kawerau's social problems and are most often at the bottom of the cliff and viewed negatively by the community."
He said the August 17 event provided an opportunity for police to be involved in a preventive capacity and regain the friendly face of community policing.
"This event's power is in the bringing together of these differing community sectors to a oneness of spirit in the fight for a better future. It also provides opportunity for our community to come together and combat negative perceptions of our town."
Mr Godfrey, who is an internationally qualified referee and judge, will referee the bouts.
"Exhibition bouts are not judged, meaning both competitors' hands will be raised as winners - signifying the fight not against each other but for the future."
Te Wananga o Aotearoa ki Kawerau sports will provide added entertainment between bouts, including a mau rakau demonstration, self-defence demonstration, hip-hop dancing, aerobics display, martial arts display and live music.
Each item will conclude with positive messages from local and national role models encouraging young people to choose options that will best harness their true potential. Main bouts will follow the boxing exhibition.
Fight for the Future will be on August 17 at Kawerau's Ron Hardie Rec Centre at 6pm. Tickets are available from Te Wananga o Aotearoa in Kawerau, phone (07) 306-9420.