The Unlikely Doctor: From gang life and prison to becoming a doctor at 56 - the incredible story of Dr Timoti Te Moke

by Timoti Te Moke

The extraordinary story of Dr Timoti Te Moke who — having endured a horrific childhood of beatings and abuse, then gang life, stints in prison and an unsupported manslaughter charge — became a doctor at the age of 56 and is a staunch advocate for Māori​.

Born into love but then thrust into violence, and shaped by struggle, Timoti Te Moke was never destined to be a leader. After an early start as a bright boy in the eastern Bay of Plenty, nurtured by his reo Māori-speaking grandparents, Timoti's life changed sharply when his mother took custody of him when he was six. He survived abuse, state care, gangs and prison, his life marked by trauma and pain.

By fourteen, he was behind bars. By twenty, he'd crossed the Tasman, trying to leave his past behind. But it was a moment in a prison cell — a glimpse of blue sky — that sparked a life-altering What if this isn't all there is?

Through grit and an unyielding drive for justice, Timoti transformed his life. He returned to Aotearoa, became a paramedic and, after facing racism and an unsupported manslaughter charge that nearly derailed his life, became a medical student in his fifties. Timoti is now a fully qualified doctor — proof that brilliance can come from anywhere, and that our society must change to allow it.

A powerful, confronting memoir of injustice, identity and the cost of lost potential, The Unlikely Doctor is not just Timoti's story — it is every child's. Because when we remove the barriers for success, we don't just help individuals — we help reshape a nation.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 29, 2025

Reviews

[Lauren Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very inspiring and tragic story. Important reading to get a fraction of understanding for what it must be like for many Māori in NZ. I don’t think you could read this book and not think that, if you were in his position as a young child, you would have gone on into life any other way.

[Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring story

I’m the same age as Timoti and had such an easy life compared to the constant challenges he has faced. To hear his story I am inspired to support his quest to improve the prospects for Māori. It’s a page turner. Keep up the amazing mahi Timoti!

[Sophie Dixon]

Steve said it best in Newsroom: the national narrative right now is miserable, racist, broke. The Unlikely Doctor shines a light, holds out hope in these angry, punishing islands. Simply incredible.

[Pearl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tū meke
Such an impressive story and narrative which need to be shouted from the roof

[Emily Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting and hard to put down. A very confronting read, I'm hoping the government makes a point to read it too. It might be far more valuable than some of their bullshit debates if they just created a book club.

[Georgina Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

fab book

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tough and, at times, disturbing read. As Dr Timoti says, it's amazing that he was able to go through all that he did and ultimately become a doctor.

I got the sense from the book that Dr Timoti feels a lot of the blame for what happened to him lies with the police and other institutions, but by the time the police were involved, it was already too late. He'd already been horribly abused by people who were supposed to be trustworthy and loving.

His mother (who doesn't deserve that title) only took custody of him for the money that she would receive. His step father was an evil, vicious beast. Surely it would be better to address issues such as broken families, welfare dependency and drug and alchohol abuse? They were the things that caused the utter misery for this poor child.

[Jonathon Hagger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a Mairi boy who uses the lessons he is dealt in life to become a doctor is very inspiring. The language style is easy to read and the story moves quickly through the various phases of his life.
This is an easy to comprehend biography told in the language style of each chapter of his life. Very good reading.

[Tylah Maniapoto]

Very wholesome

[sheerin · Rating 5 out of 5]

very real and would be beneficial for all teachers in schools like mine to read…

[Ping · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Te Moke's story is incredibly moving, I choked up while reading it. A powerful memoir, tug at the heartstrings. Highly recommend reading it.

[Sue Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - what an inspiring book - and what an incredible life he had! A tough read - especially the early part of the book - Timoti showed what you can achieve or overcome with steely grit, despite and because of his background and life experiences. Highly recommend.

[Nicky Guttin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written with humour, aroha and humility. This book makes you feel like you too can be better.

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be a must read for anyone in any position of power in New Zealand.

Having grown up in a mildly political family, with interest in what seemed to me as obviously unfair, racist policies and actions across all areas of life, there wasn't much in this that surprised me. But I know from my conversations with people over the years, the things that I have read about 'unfair advantages' given to Māori (with of course no desire by those that say things to actually understand 1. why things might be done differently for Māori or 2. what the actual difference is, so often it is blatant lies that are shared) that most people have limited understanding of experiences that are not personally lived. And that part was so powerful, this isn't a Once Were Warriors Story (as true as that is for those that live those lives, the fallback can always be that it is fiction), this is the real life lived experience of someone who is now in a position where they might actually be listened to. Someone that has worked to achieve this position not for themselves, but for the very fact that they now might have some influence and bring changes for the people who need it most.

This story of systemic racism, targeted harassment, ignored abuse, a life of early crime, and personal redemption is confronting, powerful and honest to the core. It is particularly gutting when we are watching so many of the steps towards reparation that have taken years being undone with glee by the current powers that be.

What was the difference for Dr Timoti Te Moke, that gave him the ability to turn his life around from the path he seemed destined to continue down? I don't think that there can be any one answer, because if there was one, it would be simple to solve problems for all. I think the well known Jesuit maxim: "Give me the child for the first seven years and I'll give you the man" is a large part of what helped Dr Te Moke though. We know the importance of the early years, and the overwhelming love and support from his grandparents certainly gave him a strongly rooted base. There is also the Kayes family - another thing often said that is needed for one person to succeed in spite of myriad challenges, is that they need that one positive influential person in their life, who really, really cares about them.

And there is the old nature vs nurture debate as well - we can see all throughout his story that Dr Te Moke is smart, resilient, focused and able to battle demons that might have slayed others. Some of this will be due to the aforementioned influences, some will be down to, quite simply, who he is. That's something that you can't 'fix' for people. But if you can put things in place to sort a lot of the other stuff, then you can go a long way towards reducing risk.

I hope that Dr Timoti Te Moke has the impact on change that he wants to have. I hope that his voice is elevated and listened to and acted on. He speaks not from a place of fear, or possible outcomes from the terrible choices being made again (e.g. bootcamps for at risk youth), but from actual real experience. And these are the voices that we must listen to. "Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

[Shirubii R]

A part of the author’s experience that was mindblowing to me was his childhood. There were two main parts to this childhood, one of which was love, the other hatred. This book showed how these emotions and the actions that come with them will shape a person.
The author began his life with his grandparents who loved him. In this environment, he was safe and had a growing potential for greatness: “For the first six years of my life I’d had stability and love, and wanted nothing, even though we didn’t have much. I’d been in an environment where I was nurtured.” Love is one of the most important elements when it comes to childhood. Humans are built to be social animals, it's why love is so successful in combating loneliness and fostering self-esteem and emotional support. The author’s purpose is to explain the factors of childhood that manipulated the outcome of his life. Without this element of love in the first part of his childhood, perhaps he would not have managed to become a doctor. If every childhood was brimming with love in this world, perhaps more people could reach for their dreams. Love is that secret ingredient which shapes every cookie (that symbolises childhood). Without love, the cookies have much more of a chance to come out gooey.
Hatred, on the other hand, is less commonly seen. Or perhaps those who view hatred are so far distanced from it, it doesn't feel like a real problem . The author sees much hatred for the rest of his younger years, when he lives with his mother and step-father instead of his grandparents. His experience of abuse changes him: “Every interaction with another human involved a calculation of whether they would inflict some sort of pain on me. That’s what abuse does to a kid. That’s where it leaves them. That’s where it left me. Dead inside.” Hatred is a setback to life like no other. It is a cycle of hurt and inflicting hurt. The author wants to show how difficult it was having that sort of childhood, where he was burdened with mental health problems and unable to function in society like others could. Just like evolving to love, humans have evolved to be hateful and violent. Hate is a way to direct negative emotions outwards, to others. There is no pretending the world is full of love and not of hate. However, this does not mean that hate should govern one’s life. It makes the hurdles higher, for sure, but they still can be jumped.
To summarise, love is important to childhood and even that small amount of it is the reason that the author could do well in the end. While hate is destructive, it can be overcome. Childhood relies on these elements, and determines the future of every person. Young people can be moulded into CEOs or drug addicts. Let them be moulded into something great.

[Bernice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tough life and a tough read. How fortunate are those who are raised in a family surrounded by loving parents and siblings. Timoti started life supported by loving grandparents but at age 6 his mother wanted him back in her life and regardless of the fact that he barely knew her she was granted custody by the Court. The Grandparents could only stand by and watch the downward spiral as Timoti was dragged up in ‘Once Were Warriors’ lifestyle. An abusive stepfather made his life hell and he slowly but surely started slipping through the safeguards that are supposedly there to stop abuse. Despite being recognised as one of the bright kids school began to loose it’s attraction and by age 10 he was wagging and hanging around the streets.

Timoti recounts his early life warts and all. There is no glossing over events - the end result being a very frank account of a life lived on and over the edge. He inevitably ended up in care and eventually a boys home where for the first time since he left his grandparents he felt safe, well fed and warm. Prison was another story and he spent a number of his teenage years incarcerated.

A teacher from his early years refused to give up on Timoti. She believed he was capable of so much more and her support and encouragement was admirable. Timoti sadly was set on self destruction and despite Mary’s best intentions he found his old ways too hard to change. She did encourage him to read and it was his reading skills that eventually helped him to help himself..

There were so many hurdles to overcome that one cannot help but feel Timoti’s story was a case of truth is stranger than fiction. What a life of constant struggles - one step forward two steps back.

Timoti - thank you for sharing your story and giving hope to those who think change is too hard to make or that it is too late in life to make a change.

[Julie]

3.5 but I'm rounding up because it really is worth picking up this book.

Timoti Te Moke is proof that you are NEVER too old to change your life, to change your trajectory and becoming a better human is always not only possible but attainable if you put the mana (work) into it.

This a memoir that does not sugarcoat his experience as Māori, a boy in poverty and stuck in the many many Pākeha systems that were made to keep him from succeeding with people who were suppose to be there to support him not tear him down.

The memoir covers the systematic failures our governmental departments have, the casual and overt racism, gan life and how even when you are trying to turn your life around, the system to try its hardest to never let you.

Tū meke Timoti, thank you for sharing your story with the world.

[Bronwyn Muggleston · Rating 4 out of 5]

The true account was distressing . Once Were Warriors, revisited. But this has a determined positive ending. A man breaking the cycle, stepping out of the expected outcome.
If you can cope with the first 1/4 and the way it is written, the material doesnt get any worse but is ongoing. It all builds up to a determinate character. Its so I in your face when it’s nowhere near the type of book I’m used to reading but tells a story which tragically many people are living and I think he only is touching on the surface of what he has experienced.
Extremely insightful into a life that is so unlike mine but yet is lived ‘down the road’ from me.

[Angela Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title tells it all. Timoti Te Moke has lead a life that where all the indicators point to failure, including but not limited to, an abusive stepfather, life in a gang, drugs and alcohol.
Somehow, almost miraculously, dogged determination enabled him to apply three times for entrance in to medical school before successfully graduating in medicine at the age of 56. He returned to his old 'hood and practises at Middlemore Hospital where he is committed to being an example of the possibility of success despite the deprivation of poverty, race and abuse.
This is a truly uplifting book and one can only hope there is a copy in every school library.

[Kirstin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr Timoti Te Moke story is inspiring. I was deeply moved with his life story so far and the adversity he has had to endure and overcome. His motivation and will to succeed need to be bottled and sold. I hope marae seize on the opportunities this book presents. Encourage other Māori to read and see the difference they can also make in their communities. It's never too late, and Timoti has already achieved so much more than others with double his privilege.
Ka rawe Dr Te Moke - this is just the start and I look forward to seeing what else you can accomplish in your life.

[Macy Cheng · Rating 5 out of 5]

A personable and very well-written story of overcoming adversity. Timoti tells his story, guts and all, but does so with a great sense of care and avoids resentment and hate towards the huge amount of obstacles and injustices he's experienced to get where he is today. His humility also shines through, and shows the power of human relationships to bring about genuine positive change. A real page-turner and makes you think. I read this book in one sitting.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly inspiring story - from an abusive childhood, to joining a gang, time served in prison - onward and upward to becoming a doctor at age 56. Te Moke had a moment of clarity in prison where he realised "it doesn't have to be like this" and from then on, he spent every day striving to overcome the odds, the racism, and unconscious bias of the communities in which he lived, to make his life better - for himself, for his whanau and for his community. What an awesome role model!

[Tsmunro · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read nothing else this year, read this!
Timoti’s memoir is brave, raw and confronting. His journey is hugely inspirational.
However this book is bigger than one man’s story.
It is a call for all New Zealanders to examine our prejudices and face the shocking effects of racial discrimination on young Maori and Pasifika, their families and communities.
This book for me is a powerful cry for justice.
which none of us living in this country should ignore.

[Daria Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping read - Dr Te Moke's story gives insight into the lifelong struggles that so many in society face, and the ways that our society sets up entire groups to fail, then punishes them for doing so.

It's a powerful argument for ensuring every kid is safe, fed, and deeply cared for, and the importance of creating opportunities for second, third, and fourth chances, with the right support and resources for people to make the most of them.

[Angela Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was uplifting to read how Timoti Te Moke was able to become a very learned Dr after an amazing journey from experiencing love from his grandparents to the violence from his mother & stepfather, his involvement in a gang & being incarcerated to becoming an astute business man & revered Dr. I think this book should be in every secondary school library.

[Jenni Ebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confronting, distressing, at times it even made me agree to see those who should know better were never there to help.
Inspirational, the never give up attitude always wins. It should by compulsory reading for all senior students. It may just change some young likes, I hope so.
A 77 year old pakeha woman.

[Olwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story about a very resilient person. So amazed that despite all that happened to him, the author still had a love of people and the ambition to take on medical school. Well worth reading. Suggest you keep a translation tool at hand too, as the author uses many terms not familiar to those of us outside Aotearoa.

[Laura Goulden · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute masterclass in telling one's own story. This read like fiction, but the emotional impact was so real. To know what Dr Te Moke has gone through serves as a reminder that the brightest minds can come from all corners of the country. So much love and respect reading this.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspirational life story. Every New Zealander should read this to see how Dr Moke turned his life around after no education, years of prison, abuse, gangs, drugs and alcohol. He graduated at age 56 and continues to improve the lives of Māori people.

[Min Engels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an insightful book. A great account of what it’s like to grow up in a system that favours certain people based on skin colour and upbringing. Such an important lesson in compassion. Would recommend this to any New Zealander.