"They've got it, but they are too shy to go loud ... but they are getting better at it."
As captain, he also has to make a speech at the official dinner, which he's not quite so excited about.
"I'm pretty shy but it's cool. I've done some [public speaking], not that much."
Proud dad Robert said making the Mighty 11s for one or both of the twice yearly trans-Tasman tests was the first big goal for most young BMX riders.
Indeed, after he won his first national title at the age of five, Tuhoto-Ariki told The Daily Post:"I want to be in the Mighty 11s".
Six years on that goal was achieved when he made the New Zealand side for the June test in Australia.
While Tuhoto-Ariki enjoyed being billeted and meeting new friends, the racing didn't go so well with the Aussies convincingly winning on their home turf.
However, with a stronger Kiwi team this time round, Tuhoto-Ariki hopes to lead his side to revenge in Whangarei.
The test series is being held in conjunction with the North Island Championships but for Tuhoto-Ariki the Mighty 11s is his focus.
"You can only do it twice in your lifetime."
The youngster comes from a bike-mad family, with siblings who are all into BMX, downhill mountain biking and pretty much anything that goes fast.
He doesn't hesitate when it comes to his sporting heroes.
"Dodzy. James Dodds. He used to always be good to us."
Robert said mountain biker Dodds, tragically killed while hunting last month, had always kept an eye on what the Pene kids were up to.
"He was a real nice guy. Legendary as far as we're concerned."
Multi-talented Tuhoto-Ariki was the youngest member of the Bay of Plenty U13 hockey side at last week's national tournament in Christchurch but he reckons BMX is number one.
And once he's ticked the Mighty 11s off his list, sights will be firmly set on next year's world championships in Auckland.
