Two very different MMA fighters from the Far North seek glory inside the ring and to inspire their community in this absorbing fly-on-the-wall documentary about small town heroes with big hearts.
Kaikohe Blood & Fire 2025
Simon Ogston’s documentary shines a light on the regional, grassroots combat sports scene, where rewards are measured in personal growth and grit – not titles, money, or glory. In the Northland town of Kaikohe, a humble boxing gym offers more than just a fight. It’s a place where men find structure, discipline, and camaraderie as they prepare to test themselves in the ring.
Dave, a former gang enforcer, clings to the discipline of the fight game, knowing how easily old habits can resurface while hoping to rebuild his relationship with his elderly mother. Training alongside him is Dhcamad – a seasoned professional with an international career and a burning desire to bring a championship belt back to the streets of Kaikohe. Together, they’ve become mentors to a new generation of young men, offering what’s often missing in their lives: guidance, and a sense of control and purpose – both in and out of the ring.
Blending social realism with observational intimacy, Kaikohe Blood & Fire explores the role of combat sports in the lives of men in a town with limited opportunities – where masculinity is often shaped through violent physical expression, and fighting becomes a language for resilience, identity, and belonging. — Heperi Mita