What gives you hope?

Kim | Te Tai Poutini

Kim reflects on learning craftsmanship from his late father, finding healing and purpose through fishing and sharing his passion with others.

“It saved my life. When I was at school, they told me I had limited ability and would amount to nothing. The only thing that has changed is that I managed to get a job working with my father, who was a toolmaker by trade. He showed me how to work with steel, and I design and make all my own fishing tackle. That was way back in the 1980s.

If Dad was alive today, he would be 93. But sadly, he’s not alive anymore. Still, I try to carry on, pass on the stuff.

I make people’s tackle for them – I design and make all kinds of things. I give quite a bit of gear away, like I’ve done today. I gave young Jimmy a rod and reel. That’s what he’s using over there right now. It’s his first time down here.

I did go into a dark place, but I found this to be a haven for me, as a getaway from it all. Anybody can get depression as easy as a wink, but it’s how you deal with it that defines who you are. If you’re catching fish and nobody else is, you’re the better fisherman on the day. It’s as easy as that.

But it’s the love of the outdoors. We’re very, very fortunate we can do this here. There’d be millions of people throughout the world who’d love to do what we do here.”