Lee Tepuia: 501 Deportee, Australian Prisons & the Phone Call That Kept Him Alive

A quick warning before we get into this episode: this conversation includes discussion around gang life, drug use, childhood sexual abuse, mental health, suicide, and trauma. Please listen with care.

Lee Tepuia is a father of seven, a former Rebels Motorcycle Club member, a 501 deportee, and now a qualified youth worker helping vulnerable young people through the gym he founded in Blenheim called Box on Boxing.

And in 2026 he was awarded a Local Hero medal at the Kiwi Bank New Zealander of the year awards.

But that description barely scratches the surface.

Lee grew up carrying trauma most people could never imagine. He found brotherhood in gang life, spent years building a life in Australia, then had it ripped away when he was detained and deported back to New Zealand under Australia’s 501 laws, despite never being convicted of a crime there.

At his lowest point, Lee says he didn’t want to be here anymore.

But somehow, through boxing, therapy, community, and a decision to finally confront the pain he’d spent decades trying to outrun, he rebuilt his life from the ground up.

What struck me most about this conversation is that Lee doesn’t try to present himself as a saint. He owns his mistakes. He talks openly about addiction, violence, mental health, shame, and the consequences of his choices. But he also talks about redemption, purpose, and what it actually takes to change.

This is not a podcast about glorifying gangs.

It’s a conversation about trauma, survival, accountability, forgiveness, and hope.

Need to talk?

Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor

Lifeline 0800 543 354 or 09 522 2999 or free text 4357 (HELP)

Suicide Prevention Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOK0)

Youthline 0800 376 633 or free text 234

Samaritans 0800 726 666

Aoake Te Rā 0800 000 053 Bereaved by suicide service.

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