Pasoni Taafaki headed away to Tauranga to compete in the NZ Boxing Nationals in the first week of the holidays fighting in the 75kg division. He made it all the way through undefeated to the Semi Finals. He then matched up against the reigning NZ champion and went the full rounds but lost on the decision. Amazing effort for his first time and having only had 7 fights prior to Nationals. He is also the current South Island Golden Glove champion, winning this tournament a few weeks before Nationals.