Wairarapa Midweek Wed 16th March

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Wairarapa’s locally owned community newspaper

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

INSIDE: Car ter ton, you’re on the air P10

P14

Standing for peace ARE YOU A VIP CUSTOMER? Read ‘Garden Yarn’ on Page 9 to find out if you’re one of our winners

2 x $25 GARDENBARN VOUCHERS TO BE WON EACH DAY

Richmond Funeral Home ~Incorporating Clareville Crematorium

‘A team committed to the communities they serve’ Phone: (06) 3797616

www.richmondfuneralhome.co.nz Peter & Jenny Giddens Serving Sth Wairarapa for over 40 years Tried, Trusted and Proven

FLAIR FOR ALL YOUR FLOORING NEEDS

CALL IN AND SEE US IN STORE 97-101 High St North, Carterton Ph 06 379 4055

Honesty, hard work and tikanga Erin Kavanagh-Hall

erin.kavanagh-hall@age.co.nz

A daughter of Wairarapa, with a sharp tongue and heart of gold, has been awarded Life Membership of one of Aotearoa’s most celebrated Maori organisations. Mereana Waaka-Owen, who grew up east of Masterton, was “absolutely thrilled” to be made a Life Member of the Maori Women’s Welfare League (MWWL) – though she confessed the honour came as “a bit of a surprise”. For friends and colleagues at the Kawatiri branch of the WMML - based on the West Coast - Mereana’s Life Membership is a fitting reward for her two decades of tireless service: whether that was providing meals for “lost souls” in the community, championing local Maori talent, doling out tough love, or making sure events ran like clockwork. The MWWL, founded in 1951, was set up to empower and advocate for wahine Maori throughout Aotearoa – and went on to help thousands of women access healthcare, education and housing. With the Kawatiri branch, Mereana was responsible for helping promote vaccination

and breastfeeding support to whanau, assisting with kohanga reo, providing care for the elderly, and organising events to recognise te ao Maori. To celebrate Mereana’s Life Membership, the Kawatiri branch hosted a small and intimate celebration in her adopted hometown of Westport and took her and husband George – an “honorary” MWWL member – out for dinner. Past president and close friend Sharon Marsh said Mereana is beloved in the MWWL not only for her mahi in the community, but for her meticulous organisation, attention to detail, generosity – and sometimes brutal honesty. “Her Life Membership Award is well-earned and has been a long time coming,” she said. “Mereana has given so much to our organisation. She has always been there to make sure things get done – and get done properly. “She’s definitely straight up and has got a pretty sharp tongue! But she’s got a heart of gold and will do anything for anyone.” “In other words, I’m bossy and have a big waha (mouth)!” Mereana laughed. “I forget to be polite sometimes! But things always

ran smoothly when I was around.” Mereana, the youngest of 10 siblings, was born in Homewood, in the foothills of the Wairarapa coastline, and attended the nearby Homewood School, and later Whareama School. As a teenager, much to her chagrin, her mother pulled her out of school to work in the local shearing shed. “I hated that – I hated the smell. Shearing wasn’t for me,” she said. “So, at 16, I ran away from home.” Arriving in Wellington, Mereana knew no-one and barely knew her way around – but was able to find work at Wellington Hospital, simply by “walking in and asking for a job”. She was initially employed as a nurse’s aide but, on hearing the staff “had more fun”, moved into the hospital’s domestic services department – washing dishes, cleaning, and serving meals in the cafeteria. Continued on page 3

GET IN NOW AND BEAT THE FEES

Mereana Waaka-Owen, pictured with husband George, was awarded Life Membership of the Maori Women’s Welfare League. PHOTO/ SUPPLIED

NOW ON FOR A LIMITED TIME

STOCK AVAILABLE NOW SO GET IN QUICK vehicles must be registered by 31ST march 2022 to avoid the extra charges.

Both corners Dixon & Harlequin Streets Masterton | 0800 104 103 | www.eastwoodmotorgroup.co.nz


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