Finding a new path on the land
At 15 Ben Purua was once one of the youngest people charged with murder after he and others kicked and punched a man to death.
But it was on a prison farm while serving his time for manslaughter where his path to a new life that’s included rural awards, began.
Purua was 15 when he and two others beat Donald Stewart to death on June 27, 2010.
He is now an award winning farm manager with a clothing line and a busy social media presence. His experience in prison wasn’t a quick fix but it began a journey of redirection.
After a few years in Waikeria his visits to the prison farm were an opportunity to get out and smell the fresh air.
“Initially it was just a place to get out of the unit. I started off fencing and through that grew a love of being out there on the whenua (land). I was the freedom and being one with nature.”
Purua never joined a gang, it was just always part of his life. He was born and raised in Pukekohe, then moved to Hamilton. In his childhood he was exposed to substance abuse and domestic violence. At a young age he got into drugs and alcohol and was active in a gang by 13.
“I think the lifestyle I grew up in prepped me for time in prison.”
Nikki was with Purua through challenging times when Ben was recalled to prison twice.
“It was like a nightmare,” Nikki said. “The first four years of our relationship were still heavy with gangs, drugs and violence and the kids saw it all, which was hard.”
“It took a long time to finally find my feet,” Purua said.
Nikki said her twins are 19 now. They are both at university, one at medical school.
They also have a two year old daughter together.
“Our daughter is genetically ours but I couldn’t have kids and we had a friend surrogate for us. She is our miracle child.”
“I farm through a love of the land,” Purua said who is manager at Waimakariri Lands Ltd, near Tirau, milking 540 cows.
He is a presenter at the Waikeria prison farm open days and mentors men in the agricultural sector who share similar backgrounds. Recently he won the Central Central Plateau Dairy Manager of the Year competition.
A few years ago Ben and Nikki met with the family of Donald Stewart who have come to a place of forgiveness for his death.
“They are proud that Ben made something of his life,” Nikki said. “At his sentencing they said was all that they hoped for was that he made something of his life.”
“I completely turned my life around,” Purua said. “I now work alongside the police and corrections.
“I love learning about sustainable farming and environment practices. I recently attended the Dairy NZ environment leaders forum in Wellington and I am a part of the Waikato Environment Leaders Group.”
Purua has a plan to support those with similar backgrounds. He aims to establish a transition farm for men reintegrating into society after prison.
“Nikki and I really want to develop a transition farm for men coming out of prison so we have been creating ways to fund our community projects.”
They have developed a clothing line called Kāmu tō Pāmu. Kāmu tō Pāmu means calm your farm.
“There are moments each day we just need to take a breath and chill before getting back into the craziness of life.
“When you read Kāmu tō Pāmu it will hopefully remind you to stop for a moment and hā ki roto ha ki wahine, breath in and out. I wanted our rangatahi that work on farm to have some more fun colours and culturally inspired clothing to wear while they are milking cows.”
“In the future I want to expand our clothing line and also grow the social media company. I will keep working as a Farm Manager because I love my job.”
Purua is currently an Ahuwhenua Trophy young Māori farmer finalist alongside Hannah Speakman and Shayden Gardiner from the South Island. The winner will be announced on May 17.