Manaia's story.

Early exposure to violence and the gang mentality began Manaia’s* life in crime at a young age. After several stints in juvenile detention and prison, he ended up at the Navigate Initiative unit, an experience that changed his outlook on life. 

Following his parents’ separation, Manaia’s family moved to Australia, a new country with a whole new set of challenges for him. “Back then, Western Sydney was known for school stabbings and fights,” Manaia recalls. “I had to adapt to that environment. And the environment was that you stick with your nationality."

A survival mechanism at first, this mentality quickly became Manaia’s way of life. Fights, brawls, and stabbings were all part of his teenage years, landing him in juvenile detention and eventually prison.

“I ended up running away from home at about fourteen, and moved in with one of my mates. That’s when my journey really began. When I was living with him, we would just have day parties, and when we needed money, we’d just rob people.”

“Jail just reminded me of school really. You have no choice but to stand up for yourself and your nationality. So yeah, there was a lot of violence.”

After eventually being deported, Manaia ended up back in Christchurch, where he encountered an unexpected turning point: the birth of his daughter. 

“I was the first one to hold her, and I was just like, yeah, this is my little girl. That’s when I thought, yeah, I really want to do this – be a dad.”

The seed of change had been planted, but it took another stint in prison and a show of faith by a prison officer to transform Manaia’s outlook.

“I was really conflicted, like, do I really want change or just to keep doing this? I wanted to get out, but then I also didn’t care. Then one day the PCO said, “I’m gonna put you down into the [Navigate Initiative] villas.” 

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“I remember the first week I was there, I was outside till lock up, looking at the stars ‘cos I hadn’t seen them in three years. It was pretty cool just getting those little bits of freedom. It was a game changer that made me realise there’s bigger things out there than the gang life.”

“My transition [to the outside] has been pretty easy in a way, hit a few hurdles, but I feel pretty well supported, which has helped a lot. I just know that [Pathway staff] are there, which is something I’ve never had before.”

Still recently released, Manaia is now settling into life on the outside. As he tells his story, he reflects on his life in crime and the things he’s learnt from his time in the Navigate Initiative unit.

“The money drew me to that life, but it was more about the brotherhood and family connection that I had with the boys. Now I’ve just got a different community, which is focused around my family and my children.”

Our team of Navigators continue to work with Manaia on his journey to a fresh start.

*Name changed.

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