Hohepa Taiaroa is from Tūwharetoa and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga. His life was turned upside down with the separation of his parents. He lived on the streets and came to the attention of the Department of Social Welfare and Police. He discussed how institutional racism had led to the deprivation and loss of his language, culture, identity and name. Hohepa spoke about the abuse he experienced at various residences and how his time in those settings set him on his pathway to prison.