He said it was a way for him to give back to kaumātua because they “deserve to be looked after, supported and shown aroha”.
Harry Muru-Kete, 10, mows kaumātua lawns for free. Photo / Malisha Kumar
But Harry said he also enjoyed the work, because it was fun, especially using the ride-on mower.
Since he’s gone viral, many people have reached out in support of his business, and donations have been rolling in to help cover costs.
His newfound fame has also caused his client list to expand from Huntly: Some people covered his travel expenses for free kaumātua services in Tauranga.
A stranger donated $1000 to his business, while a family friend donated two lawnmowers and a weed eater.
Harry is getting to his jobs thanks to his father, Ehipa Kete, who drives him.
Kete said he was very proud of his boy.
“I don’t know any other 10-year-old around here that could outwork him,” Kete said.
Kete said Harry started mowing lawns with his older brother, who is also called Ehipa. But Harry’s brother eventually got busy with school and life.
“While he was away on other stuff, Harry was just scooping in and took over to help.”
Kete said young boys usually enjoyed playing video games – but not Harry, who preferred being on a ride-on mower.
Sometimes, Harry would set up an obstacle course to drive through with his mower.
“He’s not like others,” Kete said.
Ehipa Kete and 10-year-old Harry Muru-Kete, the owner of lawn-mowing business Second 2 None. Photo / Malisha Kumar
Following his brother’s footsteps, Harry wanted his own business, but one with a point of difference because “anyone can mow lawns”.
Kete said that’s when Harry came up with the idea of doing free kaumātua lawns – an idea that “blew up right away”.
Second 2 None’s business has been “out of control” since the viral video, Kete said, with the client base growing from three to 16 within a week.
“I knew there was going to be good coming out of this, but I didn’t think it would be this big,” Kete said.
Harry currently charges $45 for small lawns and about $60 for bigger ones, but recently, he’s also been given “bigger jobs” that are around $100, Kete said.
Kete said they were aware of some negative comments on some videos, with people telling Harry, “don’t chase the money”.
“[They are telling him] to just be a kid … because you can’t get your childhood back.
“But mowing lawns is fun for him.”
Kete believes Harry is actually becoming an inspiration for other youth, with Harry’s best mate, Tahi, tagging along on jobs now, too.
“We’re trying to just change the kids’ mindset, even though they’re young.”
Harry is in Year 6, and Kete wants him to “stay in school as long as he can”, but he believes there are benefits to running a business at the same time.
“He’s getting an education and life skills [too].”
Asked about his future business goals, Harry said he eventually wants to franchise his business.
Aside from running and growing Second 2 None, Harry also wants to be a professional rugby league player for the Warriors, like his idol Jamie Fisher-Harris.
Harry is playing for Taniwharau Rugby League Club and trains almost every day, getting up at the crack of dawn to go for a hīkoi.
With the festive season approaching, Kete and Harry believe it’s another opportunity to give back to kaumātua.
If all goes to plan, Second 2 None will put on a Christmas lunch for the elderly at Waahi Paa Marae in Huntly.
If anyone wants to donate to Harry’s kaupapa, they can do so via his koha for kaumātua link here.
Malisha Kumar is a multimedia journalist based in Hamilton. She joined the Waikato Herald in 2023 after working for Radio 1XX in Whakatāne.
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