His mum Huriana Manuel, dad Derek Carpenter and grandmother Liza Mihinui have all played professional rugby, but Sāchi-Wolf has his eye on a different ball. Since Woman’s Day last caught up with Huriana and her whānau, the seven-year-old has started school and developed a love of sports, but he won’t be following in his famous family’s rugby footsteps anytime soon.
“He’s really into golf, partly because Derek’s taken up golf,” says the Celebrity Treasure Island star. “He’s got his own clubs and it’s become bonding time for them. It’s different to rugby, but he’s such a gentle soul that the thought of hurting someone probably doesn’t appeal!”
Huriana, 38, beams with pride as she talks about her “resilient, compassionate boy” who’s flourishing at school and curiously taking on the world with his “kind heart”.
However, if he ever announces he wants to pursue a sporting career, her response would be, “Let’s go!” She would pass on the lessons she learned from watching Liza play for the Black Ferns and from later making the team herself.
Huriana helped the Black Ferns win two World Cups, captained the New Zealand sevens team to a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics and was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. She then moved to Japan, where Derek, 36, was playing professional rugby.
There, the couple got into HIIT training and after returning to Aotearoa, they bought into a gym franchise. “We wanted to create a studio environment where people from all backgrounds felt comfortable working out.”
While they complement each other professionally – with Huriana handling the admin, and trainer Derek running the floor and staff – work/life balance remains a challenge, especially as they prepare to expand into a new gym venture.
Failing to “switch off” at home and feeling like the workload was never-ending have caused burnout at times, and Derek’s constantly reminding Huriana to “take a breather and put the phone down”, so she’s grateful Liza helps care for Sāchi.
“They’re very close, and it’s so special to see Mum provide so much wisdom and love,” smiles Huriana.
When Huriana, Derek and Sāchi do get downtime together, the cutie’s first activity choice is an easy one – doing nothing! “He’s such a homebody, like me,” tells Huriana. “I’d rather stay home – not even watching TV, just staring at it! He also likes going to the movies.”
The family also works out together. Huriana laughs that she and Derek are “super-competitive”, and she struggles taking direction from him. However, their workouts are a chance to catch up on business and family matters, and Sāchi loves joining in.
“Derek will set him up with his own little workout. It’s cool because it’s family time, plus it boosts Sāchi’s self-esteem and confidence whenever he masters a new skill.”
Watching his parents in the gym has also taught Sāchi the importance of hard slog, teamwork and exercise. That includes the mental benefits, which is why you’ll also find Huriana doing solo workouts.
She has previously opened up to Woman’s Day about struggling with being “curvier” following Sāchi’s birth, but these days, she’s much more focused on inner wellness.
“My body supported me through years of professional rugby, so now I’m more gentle with it,” she says. “These days, I move because it’s great for my mental health – helping me stay clear-headed, energised, strong and positive. In our line of work, we’re focusing on everyone else. Working out’s also my time to be alone, not think and just move.”
Solo pursuits are crucial for Huriana and Derek – who met at a sevens tournament and wed in 2017 – particularly while living, working and exercising together. “Being around each other 24/7 has been the biggest challenge, but I always say to Derek, ‘I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else’. We’ve learned to give each other the space we need. Derek has just picked up painting. It’s his time to be alone and it’s therapeutic.”
Huriana also remains passionate about helping other athletes. She completed the Wāhine Toa Leadership Programme, a course run by the New Zealand Olympic Committee to help female Olympians transition into leadership roles.
With friends who are currently retiring from sports, Huriana notes how preparing for post-rugby life early on made her transition easier.
“I had a goal to represent our country at the Olympics, then move to Japan, where Derek was playing, then do family life. This was all planned out, but I’m talking to friends who are finding the transition really hard. It’s so important to think about life after sport during your career, not after.
“The course also opened my eyes to getting more involved in governance. It’s important to have female representation on and off the field. Growing up, there weren’t many females on boards and making decisions. Now there’s Farah Palmer [the first woman appointed to the NZ Rugby board] and Melodie Robinson on the World Rugby Board. Having women with sporting backgrounds in governance inspires people, creating more inclusive and effective leadership and decision-making.”
Through the Wāhine Toa programme, Huriana has also become an Olympic ambassador. Her role aims to help celebrate Games athletes and values. She visits schools and communities sharing her stories of sports successes, setbacks and sacrifices. She also discusses how Olympic values such as friendship, respect and excellence have helped her.
Her biggest lesson for youth?
“Just be yourself,” she says. “It’s so easy being yourself and so hard being someone else! And give everything a go. I was always giving everything a go – gymnastics, athletics, cross-country…”
Huriana loves helping inspire the next generation of athletes, especially since she never fathomed competing at the Olympics through her youth, during which single mum Liza worked two jobs while raising Huriana and her four brothers.
She credits the work ethic instilled by Liza for helping her succeed today.
“Watching her work so hard and stay committed showed me putting in effort is the key to success,” she explains. “She faced challenges head on and never gave up, which showed me setbacks are part of the journey.”
Liza’s biggest parenting mottos have also been crucial, especially, “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” and, “Mind over matter.”
Says Huriana, “They’ve helped me stay focused and not get caught up in the little thing. Growing up, I watched her balance work, family and personal time, and that’s what I try to do now. She really shaped how I approach work and life.”
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