[1][2] Born in Greymouth, New Zealand,[3] Pongia grew up on the West Coast of the South Island.
[5] A stalwart of the National Basketball League through the 1990s, Pongia earned greatest recognition in 2001 as a member of the Tall Black squad that defeated Australia to qualify for the 2002 FIBA World Championship.
He finally captured an NBL title with the Waikato Titans in 2002, but lost his place in the national side.
Pongia attended the world tournament in Indianapolis as a spectator and enjoyed a high profile in TV coverage, leading the supporters' haka.
[7] The Flyers went on to win the Open Men's championship with the help of Pongia,[8] who served as team captain.