A Last Word About Gerry Otimi (I promise!)

The Gerry Otimi story seems to have died in the media (even though today the Police came to his house and took him back to the station for a 'voluntary interview') and that's fine by me. I've unburdened myself (twice) of the angst I've been carrying for 25 years. Some have asked 'why is it such a big deal?' and I guess it's not. To anyone but me.

My main beef is that Gerry attacked me personally, claiming to the media that I was exploiting kids. Why? Because I spent my own money booking venues (at commercial rates), advertising contests, and giving away big cash prizes -- and if I made a profit at the end of the night then good, that was my wages.

Gerry on the other hand held himself out as a Youth Leader, got given a lot sponsorship money to run his contests (at 'community' rates), sold a lot of tickets, and then put all the money in the United Youth Society -- promising to dole it out as required for the kids. He also went around badmouthing me to various communities, telling them they shouldn't be involved with me, and that they should deal with his United Youth Society instead.

Oh well, it was 25 years ago.

Since I promised I would publish a letter I wrote to the NZ Herald about Gerry Otimi 25 years ago, here it is [page 1 , page 2] and a transcript follows.

The letter was not published because I had written "Not For Publication" on the top, because certain Maori I was interacting with at the time told me that going to the media was not the Maori way - it would be handled on the Marae. I was hoping however that some crack reporter at the Herald would be so enthused by my revelations they would call me and do a 'proper' story. LOL - I was 21 and had no idea then how the media work.

Anyway, here's a transcript for those too lazy to click on the link:

Dear sir,

I am writing in relation to the article in this mornings newspaper headed "Dance Only That Breaks" (August 20, 1984). The article stated how in NZ breakdancing injuries are rare. As manager of one of NZ's top breakdance teams The Megazoids (winners of NZ and Pacific Championships - and TVNZ's Street Dance 84) I can only agree that kiwis are more cautious and not as dumb as some Americans!

My reason for writing however is your reference to Mr Gerry Otimi as 'an Auckland Youth Leader'. It is true that he has organised several breakdancing competitions and is therefore qualified to comment on injuries, but he is certainly no 'youth leader'.

This letter is confidential and not intended for publication but merely an attempt to give you some insight into the breakdancing scene and hopefully deter your paper from using Mr Otimi as your source for breakdancing.

You are probably aware that Mr Otimi set up the United Youth Society and with the City Council got a breakdancing stage set up in Aotea Square. This was a good thing, as was his United Bop Break Tour of the North Island in January. The Megazoids went on this tour, playing to capacity audiences, not receiving a cent, even though Mr Otimi was charging $4 a head in some venues. The team did not mind because all the money was supposedly going to The United Youth Society for the benefit of everyone.

Problems arose after the tour when the estimates of how much money raised differed. I was not manager of The Megazoids at that stage, but I have enough faith in team captain [REDACTED] to believe him when he says there was a fiddle going on. Mr Otimi, when questioned, 'threw open the books' but by his account the tour only grossed $30,000.

We (several teams involved) then went to The United Building Society who sponsored the tour and were supposedly in sole charge of The United Youth Society Accounts. They denied this and said that Mr Otimi had merely set up an account with the Building Society. They were extremely unhappy with Mr Otimi for charging spectators while on tour, as they had provided all the money needed to run the tour and specified he was not to charge for it.

Mr Otimi set up branches of The United Youth Society all around NZ - anywhere he had family to run it. By this stage the Auckland branch had folded up, the attitude being 'Gerry's a crook'. Mr Otimi had run too many competitions without giving the specified prizes. The Hamilton branch went [folded] next - with Mr Otimi threatening the Hamilton kids with legal action if they did not give him the money they had raised.

After that Mr Otimi seemed to lie low having been (we thought) exposed for what he was. His name cropped up in the newspapers when he was sued for a $9,000 debt. Mr Otimi again claimed to be a youth leader, telling the Auckland Star that "the kids look up to me as the Pied Piper". Utter rubbish.

Some time after this [REDACTED] telephoned me to apologise for everything. [REDACTED] was Mr Otimi's business partner and Treasurer of the United Youth Society. [REDACTED] had split with Gerry because of the way Gerry was spending all the money. He also said Gerry had gone too far. I will explain:

Your article featured a photograph of The Boppalympic Crew, an organisation set up by breakdancers disgruntled with Mr Otimi. The Boppalympic Crew (a.k.a. Mana Ranga-tahi O Aotearoa) organised a fundraising tour of New Zealand during the May holidays - paid for by themselves. They played to small audiences because Mr Otimi had written (and been to) each area a week before, warning them against 'exploitation' by The Boppalympic Crew - and had successfully arranged boycotts. Those areas now regret their mistake - not that it will help Mana Ranga-tahi O Aotearoa who face massive debts.

Mr Otimi is very keen on the word 'exploitation' having used it both on myself and the team. [REDACTED] explained this as a business tactic [used by Gerry].

I think it is reasonable to say that your article portrays Mr Otimi in a positive light. Many of us involved in breakdancing hope that you will cease to use Mr Otimi as your source because he uses it as propganda. He flashes around these newsclippings [to] show what a wonderful guy he is. He still shows people (when trying to get something) a photo-copied letter of introduction written last year by Auckland Mayor Cath Tizard - with the date twinked out!

If your reporters need information on breakdancing I urge you to call either Tainui Pene or myself - anyone but Gerry Otimi! Also, please contact me before discussing this letter with others - I have long wanted to see Mr Otimi exposed in public but I am told it is not the Maori way - I do not wish to offend anyone (or get sued!).

Your faithfully,