Sad end to Rotorua man's brain tumour battle

Peter Pomare with his children Taiamai (left), who was then 10 months old, and Aliyah, 4. Photo / Daily Post

Rotorua's Peter Pomare has died.

The 22-year-old, who had a brain tumour removed in Australia by a controversial neurosurgeon 10 months ago, died at his parents' home on Saturday night surrounded by his wife, Angie, children Aliyah, 4, and 12-month-old Taiamai, parents Ben and Maria, his sisters and other family members.

Last April, Mr Pomare, who had been living in Australia, was diagnosed with a brain tumour and doctors told him there was nothing they could do for him. But in June controversial neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo removed most of the brain tumour.

Dr Teo has received a lot of media attention as something of a miracle worker.

According to the Australian of the Year website, he has an international reputation for performing radical surgery on brain tumours that other neurosurgeons consider inoperable. Patients come to him from all over the world.

Mr Pomare's family and friends held various fundraising events to raise the more than $80,000 needed for the surgery with one anonymous donation of $10,000.

After the surgery, Mr Pomare spent the next few months recovering in Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital before returning to Rotorua in September. He spent three weeks in Rotorua Hospital before being allowed to go home.

To celebrate his birthday the family invited many of the people who had helped raise some of the money needed for the operation.

The Daily Post has followed Mr Pomare's battle since he was diagnosed.

When The Daily Post caught up with Mr Pomare in February he had been enjoying quality time with his family.

He had been fishing regularly at Maketu and Pukehina with his father.

Mrs Pomare had spoken of how she had enjoyed having her son home and giving him cuddles. An MRI scan had been done in Rotorua which was "not so good" and another MRI scan was done at Waikato Hospital.

Mr Pomare's aunt Mina Pomare-Peita said the family were told then that nothing more could be done for Mr Pomare.

The Pomares are Catholic and Mrs Pomare-Peita said her nephew had recently told his wife that God had visited him.

Mr Pomare said to his father that God had told him "the place I'm going to is really lovely".

Mrs Pomare-Peita said her nephew was generous and kind. "He was like an angel, that boy."

Mr Pomare's body has been taken to Ngati Manawa Marae in Panguru, Hokianga, where his funeral will be held at 10am tomorrow. He will be buried next to his grandparents, Boss and QP Pomare, at Nahareta Cemetery.