Leone travels between his home in the United States and Japan where he is in his seventh year with New Japan Pro Wrestling.
He said he was impressed that New Zealand was celebrating the Tongan language this week and said the values that stem from it are with him every day.
"You know what in Japan, it's that respect for each other and especially the younger group, their respect for their elders. It was really easy for me as a Tongan American to come live here and live by their rules because their way of life, it was a really easy transition for me."