When Moana Ahotaeiloa began to crave community connection, she turned to the Oamaru Pacific Island Community Group.
It was the group’s Friday night sessions that helped her family settle back into Oamaru, and now she has taken over the reins as the group’s chairwoman.
Former chairwoman and Waitaki district councillor Hana Halalele stepped down last year and is now the group’s general manager.
Mrs Ahotaeiloa, who is of Tongan descent, migrated to Dunedin when she was aged 3. She moved to Oamaru when she met her husband, Maheno rugby player Kisione, and they then moved to Dunedin.
Two years ago, they shifted back to Oamaru, with their two daughters, Mele (9) and Manu (7), and their son, Foliaki (20 months).