He won the first of his seven New Zealand heavyweight boxing titles in 1959.[1] At the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games he won the silver medal in the 81–91 kg (heavyweight) division.[2] Four years later, he won gold in the same division at the Kingston Commonwealth Games.[1]
In the early 1960s, Kini played prop for the Otahuhu rugby team in the Auckland club competition, winning the Gallaher Shield four times. He also captained the Auckland Māori rugby team.[3]
Kini and his family moved to Whangārei in 1980. He was the strapper and masseur for the Northland rugby team for 11 years until 2003.[3]