But Curnow's thoughts couldn't be further from the truth.
The Otumoetai woman, of Ngāi Tūhoe and Cook Islands descent, has been awarded the Queen's Service Medal for services to Māori and education.
Curnow was the head of Māori Language Studies at Otumoetai College from 1981 to 2013, the platform that helped her achieve much of her endeavours.
She was the first Māori member of the Otumoetai College board of trustees and was a driving force for the establishment of a school marae.
Curnow says the honour wouldn't be possible if it weren't for the thousands of students, teachers, members of the community and local iwi members she had worked with over the years.
She also acknowledged her late husband, partner, five children and mokopuna for their support throughout her career.
Curnow is still involved with the Tauranga Teen Parenting Unit and works with Tauranga Girls College and Tauranga Boys College, where she has spent many hours producing kapa haka cloaks and weaving tukutuku panels for the renovated wharenui at Tauranga Girls College.
"I just love teaching and I love kids."
Irene (Hiriwa) Curnow's other achievements
-Member of a panel for the Ministry of Education and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority promoting the teaching of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori
-Judge of the Manu Kōrero speech competition
-Judge of regional kapa haka competitions and has been involved with national and international kapa haka festivals.
-Active life member of the Māori Women's Welfare League
-A member of the Kiteraki Trust Board.
