Eric and Anna Mailau, together with their kids Sione and Elsie live in the suburb of Wainuiomata in Wellington New Zealand. Eric is of Tongan decent, Anna is of British descent, and Sione is of Tongan/ Māori descent(fostered now home for life).
Both Eric and Anna have had a long passion for our tamariki (young people) and were both involved in the Baptist Church youth ministry circles. This led to Eric studying at Carey Baptist Bible College (2010-12), Anna did her studies and work in health science and personal training etc. They got married in 2011 and moved up to Auckland and then eventually came across UNOH Auckland.
Eric and Anna joined UNOH in 2013 and were a part of the Auckland (Randwick Park) team up until the start of 2017, where after some thinking/ discernment decided to return back to Wellington area; to family and familiar territory.
Now they reside in the suburb of Wainuiomata, more specifically the neighbourhood of Arakura.
Their passion for working with young people has not dwindled and is still their main engagement within the neighbourhood. Eric focuses in engaging with the local schools; Arakura Primary because Sione goes there, the local intermediate and High school through collaborating and joining others already doing good work there (Ignite Sports youth workers). Anna on the other hand with the stage she is at; pregnant and caring for Elsie, she is engaging within those circles of play groups and other mums and bubs.
Within this new neighbourhood, they seek to Love God, Love Neighbours, praise and point others to Jesus in our daily routines “Whether we eat or drink…” “Whatever we do, do it for God and His glory” (1 Cor 10:31, Col 3:17)
Arakura, Wainuiomata
In the Wellington region is the city of Lower Hutt – within Lower Hutt is the suburb of Wainuiomata, and within Wainuiomata is the neighbourhood of Arakura.
Wainuiomata has a population of around the 17,000, with Arakura having 2,500-2,600. Arakura is easily identified by its closeness to Wellington rd and local stream Black Creek. Wainuiomata is not that diverse has a good portion shared by Pakeha, Maori and Pasifika.
Wainuiomata is viewed differently by those from there and those from outside. From the outside it has had a reputation of being unsafe and “hori”, it has that stigma of being rough and low decile etc. But from those from Wainuiomata there’s a real pride about the place, a sense of community/ togetherness and most are happy for the hill separating us from the rest of Wellington.