Hinekahu Gotty

Citation Speech for Hinekahu Gotty

Affectionally known as Aunty Pepe by her loved ones, Hinekahu has spent a lifetime giving to her community and Whanau. The tradition of family, culture and connection is best taught through the respect held for oneself and those around them. Through the way one interacts, cares for and contributes to the growth and development of the community in which they associate. Hinekahu Gotty epitomises the respect offered to others and therefore receives.

She has dedicated her life to the cultural wellbeing, integrity and preservation of Ngāti Pikiahu ki Poupatatē.

In her professional career, Hinekahu worked for Ngāti Kauwhata where she set up their social services arm in Feilding, running adult life skill courses and holiday programmes for rangatahi. What might have begun as a job, has continued well into retirement as she continues to share her passion by working with young hapū mama sharing her expertise. Somewhere in her busy life she also managed to gain a Diploma in Social Work and a Degree for Hapu Development, running courses for wahine on the Roll of the Women on the Marae in Palmerston North.

She is actively involved in Māori health, working alongside kaumatua and youth to ensure wellbeing in the community and she was instrumental in promoting breast screening for maori women in our region. Her proven ability to bridge the generational gap, to mentor, guide and support her community is one of Hinekahu’s many gifts.

Hinekahu has been instrumental in revitalising traditional weaving and tikanga practices – always eager to share her knowledge and skills with those interested, both within the marae and throughout the Manawatū region.

She has a hands on approach to leadership through her being willingness to engage in the daily operations of the Marae from bookings, kitchen duties, maintain gardens and overall facility maintenance. And safety has always been front of mind in her role as a lifetime member of the Māori wardens.

Hinekahu was actively involved in reviving the Cosmos Marching Teams, bringing them out of recess, coaching her children’s netball and softballs teams while they attended St Josephs, and in the 70’s and 80’s helped Aorangi Marae run cooking and sewing classes. When her children went to college she was either in Marton or Hastings on a monthly basis cooking for those boarders who stayed on the weekends.

Sewing has been a mainstay in Hinekahu’s life – learning this skill while attending Te Horo Mary Crest Catholic School, having lost count of the number of wedding dresses made for whanau and friends.

While the list of things is endless that could be said about what Hinekahu Gotty does, it’s the way she does them that stands out. The nominations received in support of Hinekahu receiving a Community Honours were filled with nodes to her inclusive, nurturing and personable approach that resonates with so many lives she has touched. One nominee described Hinekahu as a cornerstone of the region’s cultural and social vitality.

Hinekahu Gotty, thank you for your lifelong service to the enrichment of those around you, the cultural traditions that guide you and your authentic teachings through action that have and continue to make the Manawatū District a better place.