Pacific profiles: Meet Auckland’s favourite driving instructor

The Pacific profiles series shines a light on Pacific people in Aotearoa doing interesting and important work in their communities, as nominated by members of the public. Today, James Fungavai. 

All photos by Geoffery Matautia.

During golden hour at VTNZ Glen Innes, we met with Tongan driving instructor James Fungavai. From inside his spotless Suzuki Swift, James spoke to us about why he loves giving driving lessons, his history in the hospitality industry and his passion for martial arts. 

James’ nominee wrote:

“James is my driving instructor. He is patient, hilarious and a very generous teacher. He cares a lot about his students and is great at putting people at ease. He is friendly and quick-witted, and goes above and beyond, often taking weekend lessons for students who need them even though he doesn’t technically work weekends. He also teaches karate.”

Where were you born and raised?

I’m Tongan! I came to New Zealand in 1986. I worked for a German company from 1986 to 1997. Then, in 1998 I found one Italian guy – I met him in Mission Bay – and he bought a restaurant that he ran until 2019. I became the manager there and I was there for 21 years. 

Tell us about your family.

I have a wife, two children and now seven grandchildren. We live in Glen Innes. We’ve been here since we came to New Zealand. As long as they’re happy, then there are no complaints from me. Being a grandparent is unbelievable. Mama mia! When we‘re all together it’s mostly around Christmas time. My neighbour joked and thought my house was a primary school. It’s good to spend time with them while me and my wife are still alive. 

So how did the driving instructor role come about?

So me and my Italian friend, the one at the restaurant, we did driving lessons for fun on our days off. That started in 2015. In 2020, around Covid, everything shut down. I said to myself, “James, no more hospitality!” I’m only going to focus on driving now. I’m now one of the instructors for the A1 driving school in the Central Auckland area.

What do you enjoy about your work?

Mama mia! I think it’s because I started in hospitality. I was there for 21 years. I like talking to people and meeting different people. It’s good fun. Plus, I’m happy because with this job I have more time with my family. I work Monday to Friday and take four students each day. Sometimes I work Saturday and Sunday. If students text me “James, please can I have a lesson, I have a test next week!” then I will help them of course. 

What do you think is your point of difference as an instructor?

Hmmm. Well, I think if someone wants to know about me then they can read the website and check the testimonials. If they like it, great! If not, that’s OK.

(Writer’s note: James is being incredibly humble here. All his testimonials are five stars. One reads, “Absolutely loved my lesson with James, he was funny, personable, explained things very well with examples and details and most of all he made me feel confident and took most of the self-consciousness and stress I had. Very grateful!”

Who do you teach?

I teach all types of people. All ages. Learner to restricted, restricted to full, even conversion licence. I don’t get many Pacific Island students. Maybe they don’t know I’m a Tongan (laughs). Some parents teach their kids how to drive then they go straight to the test and they fail because they’ve picked up bad habits. My advice? Come to us. One or two lessons just to kill the bad habits. Many Pacific Island kids have never had a professional instructor to show them how to pass the test. 

Tell us about those bad habits.

Lane changes. When they change lanes they do everything from the side mirror. Move the car first, blind spot second. Yikes! Or they move the car without indicating. Always check your rear mirror to see who is behind you. Then indicate to show where you’re going. Check the side mirror of the side where you’re going. Then, the important one, check your blind spot. If it’s clear and safe – go. If not, don’t go! But some of them – car first, blindspot second. And at a stop sign. You must completely stop. Some stay rolling. No!

What does a first lesson look like?

Sometimes we drive in my car. Sometimes their car. If I don’t know them, I prefer my one because I have pedals in the passenger seat. If the lesson goes OK, then their car – no problem! This week I had all four students pass their test. I’m happy. If you’re nervous, we’ll go to a quiet place to start to build confidence. It doesn’t matter if we’re there for four days. As long as they build a little bit of confidence. We don’t have to do everything at once.

What else do you get up to outside of teaching?

Church every Sunday! I’ll only do two lessons on Sunday morning. We’re Tongan Methodist and we use the Ōrākei community hall. I also play bass guitar in the church band. I help a lot of people from our church. About 14 of them have passed their tests so far. I help the students from our church for free. I also play touch rugby for a Tongan men’s team. It’s good because there’s no tackling – my bones are getting old!

Are you still doing karate?

Yes, I started karate when I was in America in 1995. Now I train out in Pakuranga, I’ve been doing it for nearly 30 years. When I was young I liked the martial arts movies. When I went to America for a holiday I saw them do it there. I thought wow, and I joined and got up to my blue belt. When I came to New Zealand I joined a Go-Ju Ryu karate club in Remuera. I’m a 5th-degree black belt now. The students call me Shihan now and I get to teach the younger ones. I tell them, the more you practise the better you’ll get. I train two nights a week.

What’s next for you? Will you keep on with the driving instructing?

I’m getting old now (laughs). But I think this is the right job for me. It’s only talking, really. Nothing too heavy to carry on my shoulders. I’m quite happy, I’ve got my pedals.

And do your students message you if they pass their test?

Yes! I always say to them, I only need two words from you: “bloody pass”. And I reply “bloody good!”

This is Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ On Air.