Chris Hiko is giving a voice to local rangitahi

Growing up in Glen Innes, Chris Hiko has always had his heart set on working in the community he loves. Years later, with a diploma in teaching and a degree in counselling under his belt, he now mentors and counsels local rangatahi in the very area he credits for raising him.

Chris is proud to have grown up humble on Taniwha Street, attending the local schools with the peers he grew up with. The life lessons he learnt have helped shape the work he does today, and he feels inspired to be able to give back. “In my first year of teaching, I felt like I wasn’t giving enough trying to share lessons to a large class. I felt the resources were spread thin. There weren’t many men in support spaces, especially for young males who were having a hard time and hid their feelings. I wanted to do more, so I returned to study where I could create a bigger impact.”

After graduating from Laidlaw Bible College with a degree in counselling, he was happy to secure his first job as a youth mentor/counsellor at the Tāmaki Development Community Trust. At the same time he was coaching the 1st XV rugby team back at his old school, Tāmaki College. The move into coaching was a pivotal change in his journey for Chris, who had represented Tonga’s under-20s as a player after rising through the grades in Tāmaki. Under his coaching, Tāmaki College’s first XV won the Auckland 1C title and earned promotion to 1B.

“After I graduated, I knew I wanted to stay near home and give back to the community that has given me so much. Those rugby achievements were one of my proudest moments, and Tāmaki College has been my backyard and stomping ground most of my life. I just want to breathe life through these boys. It’s important to teach them the tools while they’re young, to know how to share their feelings in a constructive way, because there’s so much happening all around us. I want to show them that there is more honour in giving back to your community through service and positivity. The work I do in this community keeps me grounded; the sport and the boys do too.”

Born in Tonga, Chris and his family migrated to New Zealand when he was seven years old, the youngest of five siblings. He carries his Tongan culture and values with him everywhere he goes and holds ‘respect for others ’in the highest regard. “My parents were my massive motivation and drive. I just wanted to make them proud. I want to fulfill their dreams of success for me, because as a kid I had other dreams, like things that involved money and freedom. And I see myself in some of these kids. But my dreams quickly changed as I got older. I feel blessed to be taught humility, because we didn’t have much growing up, but we had what we needed. I wore the cheapest rugby boots, no labels or brands, but it didn’t phase me back then because I just wanted to play rugby.”

Tāmaki College was an influential place in his life, and as a newly graduated educator, he returned to spend time as an assistant teacher there. But his view was different this time around, because he saw gaps in the services provided to students who were struggling. Chris began to envision the support he could provide in that space and returned to study as a counselor. “I have seen many changes around me, good and bad. I believe we need to prioritise being happy, because some of our kids encounter barriers that are so huge. Then they worry about juggling these barriers with school and home, which can be difficult. Barriers can be badly set up systems, and some of our youth and their families are trying to get by on the bare minimum. Our rugby team has had to fundraise for what others take for granted, like decent rugby gear. We’ve had to jump hoops. Although it’s draining, the end result can be more rewarding because you know the hard work that was put into it.”

 As a teen, Chris saw first-hand the uncertainty that difficult times create, and the life experience has helped to equip him with the skills to overcome adversity. As the youngest sibling, he felt the pressure to succeed and do well, and credits his parents ’love and dedication for his successes. Today, he feels he is in a good space, leading to greater purpose through his faith and service to God.

“I’ve been here for almost 30 years. And yes, there’s good and bad everywhere, but you have to know when to do the right thing. I feel blessed to be in a position where I can reach the most vulnerable people in the community, to help give them a voice. I want to offer support where it will mean the most. Mum would always say to us, ‘Koe mo’ui oku faingata’a, kae ‘oua fo’i he fai lelei- through the challenges that life brings, never stop doing good, ’and I’ve taken her words with me everywhere I go.”

You can read the full edition of the Mai Tāmaki Magazine for Spring 2025 online here.