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Te Karere

Watch: West Auckland MMA gym provides safe haven for kids suffering bullying and abuse near bus terminal

February 21, 2019

There have been so many incidents of kids being chased in New Lynn that Oliver Gym wants its facility to be a safe environment.

A mixed martial arts gym in West Auckland is helping to keep kids safe from bullying and abuse.

There have been so many incidents of kids being chased in New Lynn that Oliver Gym wants its facility to be a safe environment.

Gym owner Steve Oliver explained the situation to TVNZ1's Te Karere.

"We've had a few incidents here with kids being followed back from the bus depot and being harassed and there's been a few incidents over at the bus depot.

"We just thought we'd put out a bit of a notice about us being a safe environment for the kids that need us just in case they do get into trouble," Mr Oliver said.

It's not just about a safe place for the kids to run to either, with the gym a place where they can learn the tools to protect themselves on the street.

"It's just all about confidence really to be able to protect themselves and that confidence spills over to the rest of their lives," Mr Oliver said.

Mixed martial arts fighter Hakaraia Wilson is one of those teaching kids and their parents at Oliver Gym.

"They can look after themselves and be strong and confident there are a lot of bad people and drunks walking around so they will be able to protect themselves and their friends," Mr Wilson said.

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