1696 days ago

Kung fu dad confronts knife-wielding youth after attack in west Auckland park

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

An Avondale father skilled in kung fu confronted a group of youths who hospitalised his son’s friend in a random attack.

Matua Ngarino had a knife pulled on him in Avondale’s Riversdale Park after confronting a group of boys who he believed had attacked a 12-year-old a few days prior.

The attack had sent the boy, who had been at the park with Ngarino’s sons, to Starship Hospital and made his own sons afraid of going outside, Ngarino said.

“The boys surrounded me, and one pulled a knife. I gave him the opportunity to walk away before they all got hurt.

“With my background in wing chung kung fu I was ready for the unexpected. I warned them a second time to walk away from the situation, they hesitated at first, but they came to their senses and walked away.”

Back in 1989, Ngarino said he had trained in wing chung kung fu in Christchurch, and while he had taught his children to walk away from confrontation, said he knew how to defend himself.

Wing chung kung fu is a form of self-defence requiring quick arm movements and strong kicks to defeat opponents.

While at the park Ngarino took photographs of the boys he believed were involved and sent them to police.


Read more of Melanie Earley's story here:

www.stuff.co.nz...

More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!

Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?

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Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
  • 79.2% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
    79.2% Complete
  • 20.8% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
    20.8% Complete
554 votes
30 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.

Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.

Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?

Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!

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4 days ago

The gift of giving …?

Markus from Green Bay

The author of “The Gift of the Magi” is O. Henry, a pseudonym for William Sydney Porter.

“The Gift of the Magi” is a poignant short story about a young couple, Jim and Della, who are deeply in love but financially struggling. With Christmas approaching and limited money, each decides to sacrifice their most prized possession to buy a meaningful gift for the other. Della sells her beautiful long hair to buy a platinum chain for Jim’s watch, while Jim sells his grandfather’s watch to buy a set of combs for Della’s hair. In the end, their love and sacrifice underscore the true spirit of giving during the holiday season.

🤔

I would say the story underscores the stupidity of Xmas gifts … after all, it is not YOUR birthday, so how about donating something to good causes and otherwise enjoying being together?