These days Reuben Turipa is dedicating his time to community work, focusing on faith, music and mental health after a rocky past.
Mr Turipa, 52, was born in Murupara in the Bay of Plenty.
‘‘I had a reputation back there: people were quite intimidated by me, because I was a very angry man back then ... I was quite violent back then — and abusive,’’ he said.
When he was 19, he relocated to Gore, where his father and brother were shearing.
It was here where he had an epiphany.
‘‘And it wasn’t until I found my faith that [everything] changed.’’
Seven years ago, Mr Turipa joined the Gore Baptist Church and today, thanks to his Christianity, his life was full of more peace and joy, he said.
In 2024, he and wife Sarah started a ministry called Out The Gate, which he described as taking worship music outside of church walls around Otago and Southland.
‘‘We take our faith and our beliefs, the Gospel, and we transport it into the streets ... just wherever God leads us.’’
He had been in three bands in the past 20 years and now worship music was where his heart lay.
He had seen it impact people, he said.
‘‘I really have literally seen joy come into people’s faces ... they just seem more alive.’’
He said people were more engaged in faith these days.
‘‘[In the past] people would just sit there and they wouldn’t really interact ... now I see people are up dancing ... and laughing and talking with each other.’’
He works as a mental health group facilitator, which involves running a work therapy program for clients.
He also plays music at the Gore Salvation Army on Wednesday afternoons, when a community meal is held.
