Mea Motu and the two national title belts she has won this year. Photo / Supplied
Northland-born boxing champ Mea "The Nightmea" Motu has achieved much in her short, explosive career. She talks to reporter Jenny Ling about what motivates her and keeps her strong.
When it comes to big goals and dreams, New Zealand boxing champion Mea Motu is punching above her weight.
In a short period of time, just 10 months to be exact, the 31-year-old Kaitaia-born fighter has established herself as one of New Zealand boxing's fastest-rising stars.
She now wants "to be the best in the world" - and if anyone can get there it's Motu.
Known as Mea "The Nightmea" Motu because of her serious punching power, she has always taken on bigger opponents.
Weighing in at just 55kg and measuring 160cm [5 foot 2 inches] tall, she is constantly having to fight women larger than her "because there is just no one to fight in my weight in New Zealand".
Cue some transtasman rivalry.
Motu is currently gearing up to face the undefeated Australian Rebecca Hawker for the WBC Australasian super bantamweight title in Auckland.
The fight was to take place on September 17 but, due to the Covid-19 outbreaks and subsequent lockdowns across the ditch, will now be held on October 23.
When the pair face off in the supercity it will be the first time Motu has fought someone at her own weight.
In the lead-up to the fight, she is "constantly training" at her gym Peach Boxing in West Auckland, which is run by Isaac Peach and his wife Alina.
This includes a lot of workouts with her conditioning coach Alina, building strength, doing boxing-specific resistance training and lots of work on her speed.
For Motu, a win in this fight would be a major step towards a shot at a world title in the future.
"This will be my weight so the fight will be faster," Motu said.
"I'm feeling really good, I'm excited.
"I can't wait actually, I'm getting a bit impatient."
Motu, of Te Rarawa and Ngāpuhi descent, made her professional debut in October 2020 following a successful amateur career. Her rise to fame has been swift.
She has remained undefeated to date, with 10 wins including four by knockout.
In March she captured her first national title, the NZPBA women's lightweight championship at Auckland's Takapuna Rugby Club, in a fight against Taranaki's Tania Reid.
She won her second national title against Christchurch's Michaela Jenkins on July 3 at Auckland's ABA Stadium, claiming the NZPBC super lightweight belt.
More recently, on August 7, she won each of the rive rounds against Rangi Hetet at Te Rapa in Hamilton.
That was despite Hetet weighing in at 66kg while Motu had increased her weight to 58kg, up from the 55kg she is most comfortable fighting at.
"She was a lot busier than most fighters, I felt I was more of a stronger fighter and more dominant."
Taking on the best the world has to offer "would mean everything", Motu said.
"It would mean I've accomplished what I set myself out to go for."
Motu grew up in Kaitāia and the family moved to Auckland when she was around 12.
She got involved in the sport through her mum, who took up boxing for fitness.
"I used to play soccer, and she got me involved in boxing. I went along and enjoyed doing it for fitness too.
"Isaac's old coach asked if I wanted to do amateur boxing, and I said okay, and I did it from there.
"I'd have a couple of years' break and come back for a month or two, have a fight, hop out - I never stuck at it for too long.
"There were not many fights for me and I wasn't happy trying to juggle my personal life with boxing.
"I did a few amateur fights but I didn't take it that seriously, I'd go off and do my own thing.
"I never thought I'd go pro until Isaac approached me."
Peach - a former national super middleweight champion - has a range of fighters, from those at the start of their amateur careers right through to world-ranked professionals who feature on Sky Sport and Spark Sport productions.
"Pro boxing is way different to amateur," Motu said.
"I've found a really good passion.
"What motivates me is having a good gym stable, and my family support and encourage me and love coming to all my fights.
"No matter where they're always there. And my kids, they're really proud of me."
Motu has five children, two boys and three girls aged 14, 12, 8, 2 and 1.
Apart from her gym whānau, it's her family in Auckland and Northland who inspire her.
She credits Kaitaia for helping develop that famous fighting spirit.
"I love my hometown, I love where I'm from – it's a big part of who I am.
"My grandparents are buried up there, they've played a big part.
"We come from a family who are very sporty, and we always played for a shield under their names, netball or rugby league.
"Just seeing the determination between our families fighting for that shield, it showed the strength how badly they wanted it.
"My family up there, we're all close, we're all strong, we try hard to stay together. That's definitely where my heart is."
Boxing has also had a pleasant knock-on effect of bringing the family together.
"They are able to come to my fights, it's brought my family a lot closer and I get to see them a lot more. Before I was lucky if we'd get together once a year.
"Even the ones from up north, they come down, it's a blessing.
"I get to see them on happy terms, not on sad terms. I even had family from Australia who came here a few months ago, they came to all my fights, it's awesome."
A typical day involves morning and afternoon training sessions, along with taking care of and spending time with the kids.
There are stretching regimes to follow, along with weekly massages and physiotherapy sessions which help her stay injury-free.
"I always used to be a tough person and tough it out, but I've learned that recovery and stretching are so important and play a big part in my training as well."
She hasn't suffered any injuries in the ring, apart from "one little paper cut on my forehead that felt like the tape on the other girl's boxing gloves".
"I've had no bruises, no split lips, I've never been marked in any of my fights.
"I've had black eyes in sparring at my own training. It doesn't really hurt, it just flares up the next day, and I'm like 'gosh here we go'."
It seems Motu has found her happy place.
She is trained by four coaches at the gym: as well as Isaac and Alina there is also Boaz and Ses.
"I feel really comfortable with the coach, he looks after the fighters really well, he treats us all like family, that's the difference.
"He always makes sure our personal lives are fine before we come to boxing.
"When you hop in that ring it comes down to your mental status too.
"It keeps me sane, and when you're stressed you're able to release all that stress through boxing."
And though each fight is different, she mentally prepares the same way.
"For me, it's about being happy and calm and relaxed.
"When I'm relaxed my power and my speed becomes more explosive. When I start stressing, I over-analyse things and everything goes out the window.
"The good thing is I'm surrounded by my teammates and my coach always knows exactly what to say to me. It's always his advice that drives me before a fight."
Motu also draws inspiration from fellow female boxers Puerto Rican Amanda Serrano and Terri "Belter" Harper from the UK.
At a time when women's boxing is experiencing unprecedented growth, she has this message for others.
"I want other females like me from a small country in New Zealand to realise if they can believe it, they can do it.
"It doesn't matter where we come from, we can accomplish anything.
"Females shouldn't be afraid to give something a go."
• Northland boxing fans can see Motu compete in December when she takes on Gentiane Lupi in Kaitaia.
Kaitāia boxing world champ Mea Motu part of nine-strong Māori sports stars panel M9