A former criminal turned Christian evangelist is set to take New Zealand's spirit of charity to war-torn countries in the Middle East this festive season.
Having travelled to 43 countries, Napier's Owen Pomana will be making yet another trip to the other side of the world this Friday to deliver more than 500 gifts donated by New Zealanders and Australians.
A "humanitarian at heart" Mr Pomana had recently returned to New Zealand after spending seven weeks in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.
"To see kids that don't cry anymore is just heartbreaking. I just want to go over there and love them. I don't know anyone in New Zealand who isn't moved by kids being pulled from rubble," he said.
Originally intending to travel light Mr Pomana said after he posted a photo of some gifts that his mother had given him to take overseas on Facebook, donations from across the country flooded in.