Useful Quotes from Pana's Choice
Pana was from the wrong side of the socioeconomic tracks.
The chance he might eventually choose theatre over the Mob.
“If he wasn’t in school he would be patched up and fucked for life” – Pana’s friend
Wairora was heartland Mongrel Mob… Pana grew up among all this
From his house you could see the Mongrel Mob pad, 100 meteres away.
Wairoa divides along historic loyalties to the Mongrel Mob or Black Power.
Pana would often get picked up and taken to the pad after school by notorious Mob president Bags Tamati
Before he was 10 Pana had a tattoo on his shoulder of a paw, the mark of the mob
Half the kids at school were prospects for Mongrel Mob or Black Power
“I used to look up to then mob, they had the money, the surroundings aren’t all that great, there’s pretty much no role models” - Pana
Being kicked out of school just made me go closer to the mob” - Pana
“They take away your path to success, if they take that away you’ve got no path to walk” – Pana
“The Mob knew I was on my way in there, I was the little Mob boy.” – Pana
Deputy Principal Jacky Young didn’t expect Pana to make it to school leaving age.
Gilbert kicked Pana out of class for refusing to participate.
“Mr Gilbert, he’s a straight up fella, he will tell you what he’s thinking.” – Pana
The two began a remarkable relationship that kept Pana at school and opened an alternative to gang life.
Gilbert recognised Pana’s charm and talent.
Gilbert is realistic about his pupil. “He’s not a model student, he’s a hoodlum.”
Gilbert goes to sleep at night fingers crossed that Pana will make it.
Gilbert, 44, has the ability to get alongside his students.
He never raises his voice and the kids love him to bits.
What attracted Gilbert to Pana’s situation is how much he actually saw of himself in his student.
Gilbert’s father was a quick tempered drunk who negotiated with his fists.
Gilbert grew up in a state house in Shakespeare Ave, the city’s slummiest suburb and a mirror to shabby Aranui that Pana inhabits today.
Gilbert was suspended from college for smoking and wagging.
Gilbert started a drama academy for senior students and helped to change Aranui’s bad reputation.
“Everyone remembers a teacher who inspired them and I want to be that person for young people” – Gilbert
“I’m not his guardian angel” – Gilbert
“He’s got to make his own decisions in life. All I can really do is show him opportunities.” – Gilbert
“Choices mate, it’s all about choices” – Chris Flood (policeman in Wairoa)
“Theater was my education. I could have easily gone down a completely different road. So I just want to show him the possibilities that are there.” – Gilbert
“He’s pretty much a second father to me” – Pana
“He came from a similar background and I could trust him” - Pana
The chance he might eventually choose theatre over the Mob.
“If he wasn’t in school he would be patched up and fucked for life” – Pana’s friend
Wairora was heartland Mongrel Mob… Pana grew up among all this
From his house you could see the Mongrel Mob pad, 100 meteres away.
Wairoa divides along historic loyalties to the Mongrel Mob or Black Power.
Pana would often get picked up and taken to the pad after school by notorious Mob president Bags Tamati
Before he was 10 Pana had a tattoo on his shoulder of a paw, the mark of the mob
Half the kids at school were prospects for Mongrel Mob or Black Power
“I used to look up to then mob, they had the money, the surroundings aren’t all that great, there’s pretty much no role models” - Pana
Being kicked out of school just made me go closer to the mob” - Pana
“They take away your path to success, if they take that away you’ve got no path to walk” – Pana
“The Mob knew I was on my way in there, I was the little Mob boy.” – Pana
Deputy Principal Jacky Young didn’t expect Pana to make it to school leaving age.
Gilbert kicked Pana out of class for refusing to participate.
“Mr Gilbert, he’s a straight up fella, he will tell you what he’s thinking.” – Pana
The two began a remarkable relationship that kept Pana at school and opened an alternative to gang life.
Gilbert recognised Pana’s charm and talent.
Gilbert is realistic about his pupil. “He’s not a model student, he’s a hoodlum.”
Gilbert goes to sleep at night fingers crossed that Pana will make it.
Gilbert, 44, has the ability to get alongside his students.
He never raises his voice and the kids love him to bits.
What attracted Gilbert to Pana’s situation is how much he actually saw of himself in his student.
Gilbert’s father was a quick tempered drunk who negotiated with his fists.
Gilbert grew up in a state house in Shakespeare Ave, the city’s slummiest suburb and a mirror to shabby Aranui that Pana inhabits today.
Gilbert was suspended from college for smoking and wagging.
Gilbert started a drama academy for senior students and helped to change Aranui’s bad reputation.
“Everyone remembers a teacher who inspired them and I want to be that person for young people” – Gilbert
“I’m not his guardian angel” – Gilbert
“He’s got to make his own decisions in life. All I can really do is show him opportunities.” – Gilbert
“Choices mate, it’s all about choices” – Chris Flood (policeman in Wairoa)
“Theater was my education. I could have easily gone down a completely different road. So I just want to show him the possibilities that are there.” – Gilbert
“He’s pretty much a second father to me” – Pana
“He came from a similar background and I could trust him” - Pana