South Auckland entrepreneur Motekiai Tangi is transforming a deeply personal mission into a growing health-tech success story — one rooted in prevention, community care and practical innovation.
As the founder of Fitness Sci-Tec, Tangi has developed an AI-powered platform that helps people prevent and manage type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions, combining clinical science, fitness and technology in one connected system. The business is already supporting Aucklanders through partnerships with Health New Zealand, Pacific Health Group and a network of local GPs — and now it’s preparing to take its model to the world.
With support from GridAKL, Auckland Council’s innovation hub, Tangi is exploring expansion into India, where more than 90 million people live with diabetes and the need for scalable, preventative healthcare solutions is growing rapidly.
A mission shaped by lived experience
For Tangi, the work is personal.
“I was 200 kilos and pre-diabetic as a teenager, and I watched my mum suffer multiple heart attacks,” he says. “Sitting in hospital with her, I realised there were no real conversations happening around lifestyle change or prevention.
“That became my mission — to make sure families like mine had a better chance.”
After leaving school at 14, Tangi returned to study through Manukau Institute of Technology, eventually becoming the first in his family to graduate with a Bachelor of Applied Sports and Exercise Science. He later trained in Pacific nutrition and invested $35,000 — raised by selling his ute — to begin building what would become Fitness Sci-Tec.
A new model of care
Today, Fitness Sci-Tec operates across two arms: a clinical and software development service based in Manukau, and a gym in Botany designed to support patients transitioning from GP care into ongoing health management.
The business also runs a mobile clinic, bringing services directly into communities and making early intervention more accessible.
At the heart of the model is its AI-powered platform, which tracks key health indicators such as HbA1c levels, blood lipids, body composition and mental wellbeing. This gives both patients and clinicians real-time insights to support better everyday decisions.
“It’s the first model of its kind here that combines evidence-based exercise science, blood testing, clinical monitoring and culturally responsive care in one system,” Tangi says.
While the business initially focused on Pacific families, where the need is particularly significant, demand has steadily grown across communities.
Tackling a growing challenge
Diabetes is one of New Zealand’s most pressing health challenges, affecting more than 300,000 people — a number expected to rise sharply in the coming decades. Māori, Pacific and Indian communities are disproportionately impacted, making prevention and early intervention critical.
Tangi’s approach focuses on addressing these inequities by meeting people where they are, with culturally relevant support and practical tools for long-term change.
Backing Auckland innovation
Support from GridAKL has played a key role in helping the business scale and think globally.
Through the Startup Aotearoa mentoring programme, Tangi has gained access to networks, advice and international opportunities that are helping accelerate the next stage of growth.
Mayor Wayne Brown says businesses like Fitness Sci-Tec highlight the strength of Auckland’s innovation ecosystem.
“This is an Auckland start-up that has created practical innovation which solves a real problem and creates serious economic opportunity,” he says.
GridAKL General Manager of Economic Development Pam Ford agrees.
“Fitness Sci-Tec is a business that can have real impact, with strong commercial potential and international relevance,” she says. “Stories like this are wins for the founder, for the city and for Auckland’s reputation as a global innovation hub.”
Looking ahead
For Tangi, the vision is clear: build something that creates lasting change — starting in South Auckland and reaching far beyond.
“This started with my family, but now it’s about building something that can genuinely change lives at scale,” he says.
“If we can help people live longer, healthier lives here in Auckland and eventually in India and beyond, then we’re building something that matters.”