WDW | With Phil "Hoki" Hokianga | Former NZSAS Operator & Leader | Company Director | Humble Man
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- Welcome back everyone it's Joe Hotai and Brian Osman Co-founders of Epich Aotearoa - Create a Better Future Podcast! With a New addition to the team Mr Richard Fallow (Video editor/Producer/Good Dude).
Going forward we'll be looking to improve our visual and audio content with Richards help, so please bare with us.
In this episode Joe speaks with Phil 'Hoki' Hokianga Former New Zealand Special Air Service (SAS) Operator & Leader / Company Director about a number of topics including:
Phil's desire to serve in the military and the SAS, some of his upbringing, his strong whanau (family) heritage in the defence force, some of his regrets, challenges, learnings, observations, guidance and counsel to/for others, his acknowledgement/recognition and thanks for those who laid the foundations for the NZSAS unit in particular, his transition into the civilian sector, becoming a company director of @verticalhorizonznewzealand5935his love for his wife and children, his battle with prostate cancer plus so much more.
Sadly, but gratefully for me, this was a one and done opportunity for me to have Phil on the podcast - His decision which he made very clear, and which I was eager to grab with both hands. Phil, is a very intelligent, reserved & humble man. I've wanted to have him on the podcast for a long time. Extremely grateful that he decided to take me up on the open invitation.
Phil was one of those Men you just didn't muck around with in the unit. I remember seeing him during my selection and his name being mentioned in 'hushed' tones by some of the senior soldiers on my selection. I could tell just from his presence and the way he carried himself he was someone who commanded and had the respect of those around him.
What privilege this was for me to share some time and space with this incredible Man.
On behalf of Brian, Richard & myself we appreciate you stopping by and giving us some of your valuable time. We sincerely hope and trust that you will find value in this episode leveraging the lived experiences of our special guest today Mr Phil Hokianga or Hoki to those who know him best.
Please be sure to leave us your comments, questions or suggestions that you'd like us to know about.
If you feel that what we’re doing resonates with you and is of service - we humbly invite you to consider hitting the LIKE button and SUBSCRIBING.
Check out: www.verticalho...
Joe & Brian
Epich Aotearoa - Create a Better Future
Co-Founders
Video editor/Producer:
Richard Fallow
More to come/say about this incredible dude in the near future
Music: pixabay.com/
Awesome Phil, much respect brother, always! And this podcast just come up today, 27/08/24 bloody hell. My favourite memory was when you were our Captain of Bunnies (Cpl) and our OC (hard bugger Antz) was your subordinate on the paddock but he respected your on field decisions. Great memories, awesome professionalism Hoki. You mentioned how you were influenced, I can say the same thing with you and your generation. Sid, Kel, Ian Blackman .. so may more. Great interview by the way. Do another one about rugby!
Great to see that old photo of our section from Basic 166.
What a privilege it is to listen to your interviews Joe … which I recently discovered.
I’m an Aussie living in the US going on 22-years and I miss the Oz+Kiwi down to earth nature & authenticity which … you blokes just exude in buckets.
Thank you for sharing Mr. Hokianga.
You are an inspiration Sir.
P.S. Joe, truly epic with the family in the background = Authenticity Level = LEGENDARY !
Mate, the look on your daughter’s face at the end is priceless. I’m still laughing 😂
G'day mate 👊 Appreciate your very kind words @Harj G - thank you brother. Wow 22yrs in the US....Hoki is a great Man alright, held in very high regard. Hardcase about the family alright and my daughter 😂 😂 Much love and respect to you and yours mate. Joe 👊
@@EpichAotearoa ... I'm working on a project with a colleague from the Uni. of Bristol to help parents help their kids make fulfilling life decisions.
There are some bureaucrats that want to be involved so they can take credit but I'm trying to side step that ... you know the drill.
In any case, I'm going to reach out to Mr. Hokianga to learn more about his accreditation system because that's what we need here in the US.
We're working more on the Pastoral Care model whereby Uni. students get assigned a "mentor" for the duration of their academic life.
That way the kids feel like they have someone that is helping them through each stage of their young adult life cycle vs. a new face for each visit.
Also, that story told by Mr. Hokianga of the 16-yo who had never had a sense of achievement until he got his Certificate was priceless.
I felt rather humbled listening to all that he is doing given his medical condition ... that's just legendary.
BTW, Joe, love what you're doing to help kids as well.
When we have our podcast up & running, Anja and I would love to have you share your thoughts as a parent.
On that note, I'm a father of a 16-yo teenager and you have 3x of them.
Would very much appreciate your thoughts/podcast as a parent to teenage GIRLS in the 21st C ... there'll be a lot of us blokes looking forward to any help we can get.
P.S. I'm going to keep leaving comments & hope it helps the algorithm ... Thank you Joe for all that you do.
thinking, Wow doesn't get any better than this mans korero.
What an interesting life.
Thank you both.
Ngā mihi nui.
Sweet as interview. Phil is still the hard case I first met, back when we signed the dotted line in May 80. Interesting journey he's been on. Wish him and whanau (and Pat) all the best.
Basic 166 ,great days training together.
Cherrs for the memories!
I served with a couple of the Hokianga fellas. Speed, Godsy, Myles, Dan, Ranji, Solly, and the rest!
kia ora Hoki been many years between drinks!! last time i saw you would be about 1985 Corps bar Singa's kapai brother keep well fantastic journey mate Robbie Morris
I remember Phil ( Hoki ) in Alpha coy 1RNZIR Singapore 81/83 I went to tankies he did selection and went to SAS great bloke done know whether one Major Keay is still alive I bet we got fond memories
Another great interview with another great legend. Phil is such a humble man! WDW
Served with Phil's brother Pat. The Hokianga legacy continues
Amazing men. NZ is blessed.
Had the honour of meeting Phil at the Waikato vs Drua ANZAC game , awesome falla
Another awesome insight Joe. 😀
Kia ora Hoki, I hope your cancer is under control! Thanks for all the support you gave us "blue berets" that made up half of Alpha company over 85/86 mate, especially being an awesome section 2IC mate, regards Rik
So much respect
In Malaysia one day in the "J" a new word came down the line that I was not familiar with but it ended up similar to contact rear,the word was HORNETS and Peter Snell would have been proud of me that day I'm sure.
Thank you koro my uncle Tubby Bell was in Singapore 3rd platoon he love a beer 😊
Should do one on the Va'tuitui brothers!
Awesome interview, thank you for your service's ✊
Nice one Joe and Hoki
Quick question Joe
Most ex operators seem to leave the unit and go straight into contractor work, Is this because they need the money or that they are craving the same intensity in their life they got while serving. Maybe contracting is a way of decompressing or transitioning to spending more time with family, that are just not used to your presence in their routine that they need to adjust to as much as those returning to family life on civi street.
I know this is one of your objectives Joe aiding the transition out of the MOD and the alternative routes would be interesting to hear.
Maybe the the SF in all countries needs to change themselves, so you have to do a release program and operators are not allowed to just walk out possibly in some cases due to burnout.
Thanks Phil and Joe great podcast.
I think they have to do 2 years in the reserves
Kia ora bro, good question - but one that I think is primarily very much individual. I can only speak for myself personally. 1. I went on the circuit because I made a dumb choice to leave the unit 2. Although the money was good (for me personally) that was just a bonus - I didn't personally need the money so to speak, and from what I could tell the Men I was fortunate enough to work with didn't either. It certainly made life easier but at the same time afforded us opportunities to help out others as well which is always much more rewarding. 3. I enjoyed, (no I selfishly) craved being away doing something where I felt I was useful and/or good at something and I just loved being around good operators who I knew I could trust and who I could learn more from. I soon realised, although it was great to feel like I was doing something useful and I was surrounded by Men far better and much more experienced than myself - It wasn't the same as deploying on ops. To me it was still good, but not the same or as good as a military op....If that makes sense. There's no doubt some transition struggles for ex defence force personnel in general (not only SF), but going on to the circuit or private contracting for me - felt like a natural progression where I would be using the skills, knowledge and experience I had gained, just in a different setting and with different parameters so to speak....I'd say there's definitely opportunities to try and put more effort into the transition space and from what I hear there is some incredible work happening by some very dedicated and driven people. I'm trying to get some of them on the podcast, but it's a bit tricky....Hopefully, things will work out though. To your other point about family needing time to adjust - I believe that's also valid, it's definitely been the case in our home. Heck - sorry I've rambled on enough and not even answered your question, other than sharing my own reasons 😂 Sorry mate. Appreciate your time and thoughts. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. 👊
I love this episode
Another great interview. I was wondering why the guys in Africa didn't open up on the elephant(s) ?
RIP Dan
Regards from Oz, mate
😂😂😂 Phil was one of our Instructors on our Basic Static Line Cse 1995 for POE Coy or A Coy 2/1 RNZIR 🎉
Many from TF Battalions ???
My big mate. Pete Watson Taiwan. Take care brother, I wish you well.
Pai tena korero..Hoki.
WDW.
I resonate will with what Phil is talking about , have a plan of attack when you go back on to civi street.
😂😂😂 Greg Godzee 😂😂😂
I keep in contact with him regularly dusty