He Survived Gangs, Prison & a Manslaughter Charge… Now He’s a Doctor at 56 – Dr Timoti Te Moke

Dr Timoti Te Moke's story is one of the most powerful we've ever shared.

He was raised in violence, survived years in boys' homes and prisons, and spent his youth deep in gang life. At one point, he was known as “the Jake the Muss of South Auckland.” But Timoti didn’t just escape the cycle—he transformed his life.

Today, he holds a PhD, lectures on Māori health, and is helping break the very system that once trapped him.

In this episode, we trace Timoti’s life from his early years of trauma and crime to the moment everything started to change—step by step. He speaks openly about addiction, gang culture, his time in prison, surviving a wrongful manslaughter accusation, and how he found healing, purpose, and redemption later in life.

This is not just a story of survival—it's a masterclass in transformation.

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