Former league star Paul Whatuira is one of Wainuiomata’s most famous exports.
He has achieved what most players can only dream of: two NRL premierships and standout performances for the Kiwis that landed him a lucrative contract in Europe.
Whatuira was on top of the world - but in 2009, he fell from grace when he was admitted to a psychiatric ward in England after attacking two men.
His wife Vanessa was expecting their first child, which triggered memories of a sexual assault Whatuira suffered when he was just six years old.
Struggling with suicidal thoughts, Whatuira says his mental health started to decline.
"When you go through depression, your mind is in the past. I never fixed those issues up or went to the cause - I was just living in a world in no man's land."
He was diagnosed with bipolar and was heavily medicated, effectively ending his league career.
But after five years of suffering in silence, Whatuira took his health into his own hands and began his own unorthodox treatment. He stopped taking his medication, faced up to his past, and began training.
"I had to condition my body and mind for battle. I trained three times a day like back in my heyday, I reconnected to my brother, my friends, my family, my Māori bloodlines."
Nowadays Whatuira is a new man. He is based in Sydney and works for his former club the West Tigers.
He now shares his experience; speaking at schools and clubs in the hope his story may help others to conquer their own demons.
Newshub.
