Burning Bridges Podcast

In this episode, we dive deep into Luke Brown’s story—the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
Raised in a small Australian country town, Luke built a successful life on the outside—a thriving business in the agriculture industry, a strong family foundation, and lifelong friendships. But behind the success, there was struggle.
As a young man, Luke battled a drinking problem—blackouts, trouble with the law, and nights he couldn’t even piece back together. In a culture that shrugs things off with “you’ll be right, mate,” accountability was hard to face, and even harder to accept.
This episode explores the turning points—losing a mate, watching a close friend battle terminal illness, and the emotional weight that forced Luke to question everything. Despite his success, he felt stuck… like he was living the same day over and over.
“It’s not enough for me.”
That realisation became the catalyst.
What started with running and small wins in social golf turned into something much bigger—the Going Pro journey. A bold mission to qualify for the 2027 Australian Open at 44, using discipline, purpose, and public accountability to change his life.
Now off the drink and training full-time, Luke is all in. 
This is a conversation about identity, pressure, mateship, loss, and what it really takes to take control of your life—when most people would settle.

In this raw and emotional episode, Vika Pasefika opens up like never before. From growing up in a tough Samoan household to arriving in New Zealand unable to speak English, Vika shares the pain of being bullied—and how that pain turned him into the bully.

Behind the violence was something deeper. Untold trauma. Abuse by someone trusted. Silence that followed him for years.

From fighting in the streets to becoming a father, Vika’s turning point didn’t come easy. Now in Australia, he’s finally facing the demons he once buried.

Today, Vika leads the UCE Movement—mentoring youth, supporting mental health, and running men’s groups focused on healing and suicide prevention.

A powerful conversation about trauma, identity, and what it really takes to break the cycle.

This episode we speak openly to Aperehama-Rua, Coley, and Haati Bei about the journey to set things right after the past Hīkoi of Iwi Whakamahu – Heal the Nation, and the path they are now walking through UTU.
 
Discussing personal thoughts, experiences, and actions behind two of the organisers Aperehama and Coley, and the movement that began with the intention of healing our people. 
And Haati Bei, Aperehama’s whānau, shares her own journey of keeping her family close while navigating a hostile environment.
 
The kaupapa began with powerful intentions. The vision was to create a space of healing and unity. A place where people could come together, reconnect, and walk forward stronger.
But the journey became complicated. Questions were raised. Trust was tested. People were hurt. What started as a movement of healing slowly became surrounded by confusion, division, and pain - between organisers, supporters and the public.
 
In this kōrero we hear the heartbreak of how a space that began with hope and healing slowly became tangled in lies, pain, and despair. But we also hear something just as powerful — how through those experiences true friendships were formed that became whānau. And within a small group, now known as the LITT Krew, still believed in the Kaupapa and creating a space of whakawhanaungatanga, connection, and healing along the journey.
 
Aperehama and Coley speak honestly about the weight they have carried since then — the guilt, and the feeling of knowing that things did not unfold the way they were meant to. With that comes the courage to face those feelings and walk forward with intention.

Now they are walking a different path.
A path that leads back to Rātana Pā.
A journey of UTU — not revenge, but restoration. 
A return to balance. 
A way of putting right what has been thrown out of alignment.

From growing up in Aotearoa surrounded by family to stepping into new territory on the Gold Coast, Corbin and Ella share their journey of ambition, adversity, and unwavering commitment to each other.
Together, they reflect on the setbacks that forced them to level up — not only individually, but as partners.  We talk love, leadership within a relationship, navigating hard conversations, and building a life aligned with shared goals.
This episode dives deep into, communication, resilience, and what it truly means to build a strong foundation for love and family.
A reminder that love doesn’t avoid challenges — it grows through them.

Uncle Tamahae Elkington was born in Porirua, Aotearoa, with spina bifida at a time when doctors didn’t know how to support children and their families with disabilities. 

Being hospitalised for two years from a baby, early institutionalisation planted a seed of anger he didn’t yet understand — an anger that followed him into adulthood.

Growing up tough, learning to fight in boys’ homes, surrounded by violence and survival, he found himself pulled into gangs and a life of crime. 
When his parents moved to Brisbane, Australia he joined them — but the cycle continued. Petty crime turned into heavier offences and prison became a reality.

To escape more prison time, he returned to Aotearoa. 
There, something shifted and he was made to attend Te Wananga Raukawa. Three years later he finishes with a degree. 

But the real turning point?
A men’s group.
He attended the same course 3 times, a total of 3 years. 

Through that journey, he re-discovered his worth, value and voice. 
He began healing and found solace in music, meeting people and travelling. 

Today, Uncle Tamahae proudly adorned with his moko kanohi, grounded in culture, wisdom, and self-awareness. 
Living with spina bifida, having lost his leg, and wheelchair-bound from the age of 16, he refuses to let anything define or limit him.

It is proof that:
* It’s never too late to heal.
* Your past does not decide your future.
* A disability does not disable your life.
* And no matter how far you’ve fallen, you can rise with dignity and mana.

We are deeply honoured to share this kōrero.

Share this with someone who needs hope ❤️ 
And let us know what part of Uncle Tamahae’s journey moved you the most.