Maraea and Kristian Pomana are part of the backbone of the Fordlands Community Centre. The organisation is in the heart of the Rotorua suburb which has long established high unemployment and poverty issues.
Photo: Pomana family collection
Of the 600 houses in Fordlands, around a third are owned by Kainga Ora and the average income of residents is $19,000 a year.
Life has not been completely rosy for the Pomana whanau, but through their own struggles they are well placed to help other residents.
Maraea is the operations manager of the Fordlands Community Centre and Kristian is the employment co-ordinator.
