KEY POINTS:
He Says he's been touched by God, and your immediate thought is, "Little wonder".
Standing at 2.34m (7ft 8in), Fijian-born Kali Selei is the tallest person in New Zealand.
And yes, he's played rugby, but not at lock. And no, he hasn't played basketball, but he was once
offered $300,000 to do so.
Mr Selei takes the attention in his stride.
"Yeah bro, but the [basketball] money would have meant that I would be focusing on myself. I want to share my life with others."
The 26-year-old is visiting New Zealand to carry out missionary work, which includes counselling drug users and working with youth.
He has taken the time to catch up with cousin Joe Rokocoko and good friend Sitiveni Sivivatu.
"I met them in the hotel before the Canada game. Joe gave me this [All Black] jacket."
Based at Crystal Springs near Matamata, Mr Selei's work over recent weeks has taken him to Wellington, Wanganui, Hamilton and Auckland. In November he takes off for Europe, where his work with the YWAM Family Ministries will continue.
Soon after his arrival in New Zealand in February, a foot infection - caused by a cut from the stem of a sugar cane plant back in Fiji - flared up and affected his heart.
He spent 39 days laid up at Waikato Hospital and was put on a heavy course of antibiotics. Staff had to modify a shower and toilet for Mr Selei's stay, and his bed was extended.
He now faces a hospital bill of $18,000 and is looking for ideas on how to repay the money.
His work in New Zealand is voluntary, and his visa was approved on the condition he did not take up paid employment while in the country.
Strolling through the streets of Hamilton this week, he certainly caused heads to turn - skyward.
Mr Selei's enormous frame is something he has learned to accept, but it hasn't always been easy.
"I reached a point at 17 where I hated myself. I was very down and wanted to do away with things."
But he decided everybody was created for a purpose, and he set about his religious work and helping people.
He thus turned down an offer to play for the Fijian national rugby side. He had represented his country at flanker for a development team.
He believes his height comes from an ancestor. "My father is 6ft 1in, my mother is 5ft 8in, my brother is 5ft 8in and my sister is 5ft.
"Legend has it that five generations ago on my father's side, one of the men was very tall.
"I went to his grave and it was 9ft. I came to realise that's where I got it."
Measuring Up
At 2.34m tall, Kali Selei would tower over All Black locks Ali Williams and Chris Jack, who each stand at 2.02m.
Inner Mongolian herdsman Bao Xishan is officially the world's tallest living man at a height of 2.36m.
