Presenter
Abraham Pehi
23 year old Abe Pehi has come a long way in a short space of time. Since his release from prison in 2003 Abe has worked extremely hard to start a busy and productive life which includes co-owning a business, raising 3 beautiful children, and lately he’s fitted in co-presenting a new crime prevention TV programme.
Like a lot of teens Abe headed off the rails while mixing with a group who were doing the same. And after committing a spate of crimes in a short space of time justice caught up with Abe, and he was sentenced to a term in prison.
Abe says that going to prison was what made him determined to live a crime free life. "When I was in jail I spent my last year in a Maori Focus Unit and what I learned about our culture and history during this time helped me to make changes in my own life. There I learned about the three feathers of the chiefs, which in some cases represent beliefs in the past, present and future. Learning about the past I saw that our chiefs were the first entrepreneurs of this land – they started with nothing but through their creative efforts they created a future for us all.
I learned that for things to change I must change first. I took the symbol of the feathers and created my own beliefs, at first being; honesty, loyalty, and commitment – not only to others, but to myself as well - but now my beliefs have evolved into ownership, responsibility and accountability."
In 2003 Abe took up an employment opportunity with a private training establishment – Case Boreham Associates. And with the help and guidance of CBA, and through some very hard work and effort Abe has started a new business, Direct Labour Services Ltd, which he co-owns and manages.
As someone who has managed to make a success of himself despite difficult beginnings, Abe is now looking for ways that he can help others coming from a similar background. This was one of the biggest factors for Abe when he decided to take on the co-presenting role in ‘To Catch A Thief’; Abe wants people to see that you can change, and particularly, he wants to be a role model for young guys currently in the prison system. He wants to show them that there are many opportunities in life, but that it’s up to the individual to take action.
And becoming the face of a new TV show is the first step in this direction. Abe has put himself on the line, and is putting his past knowledge to a more positive use, teaching people how to best protect their home and property from opportunistic burglars.
Abe says "Going into TV I had a whole lot of mixed emotions. At first there was excitement, doubt and fear, but I overcame these anxieties by looking at this as another challenge in my life and, also a chance to show New Zealanders that opportunistic burglars will take advantage of loose security as long as people keep leaving doors of opportunity open. Hopefully this show will be the wakeup call people need to take responsibility for their property, because otherwise it’s likely it will be the burglar tapping them on the shoulder – not me!"
Abe’s Stats and Facts:
Age: 23
Star Sign: Pisces
Favourite Music: Hip Hop / Jazz / Regae / Old School
Favourite Past time: Watching the All Blacks win World Cups
Favourite Food: Hangi / Chicken
Favourite TV Programme: The Apprentice
Hobbies: Working hard to create new things
Favourite Person: My mum
Where would you be right now if you could be anywhere:
Where I am right now?
Future Goals: To never look back – to better myself and evolve to be the best at all things … Peace!!!
