Mum to many

Annette-Jane Green with some of her mokopuna: Steven (who was playing Ninja Turtles, hence the facial decoration) Dayna, Jane (who decided to apply lipstick for the photo shoot), Jamie holding Lexus-Jane, Tamika and Janelle holding Ebony-Grace.

IT'S NOT easy to conduct an interview while you are adjusting the monitor on a baby asleep in a bassinet, cuddling her twin sister on your knee, comforting a seven-year-old complaining of a sore throat, feeding a tribe of hungry mouths after school, finding a clean pair of jeans for a grandson, chatting with young adults who are coming and going, and trying to be heard over the TV.

But Annette-Jane Green does a sterling job of it, like everything else she does. The petite 62-year-old has raised five of her own children and 20 or so mokopuna (grandchildren and great-grandchildren). She’s the epitome of love, calmness, patience and organisation.

Raised by her grandmother Kau Kapuaroa and great-grandmother Heni Noti (Taihuka) in an extended family at Waihirere, Annette-Jane is following in the footsteps of her tipuna (ancestors).

“My grandmother and great-grandmother raised me with so much love and patience, I have plenty to give back to my own mokopuna,” she says, cuddling Lexus-Jane, one of the five month-old-twins who beams at her in response.

Annette-Jane began looking after her mokopuna when she was 40. Prior to that she worked full-time at various jobs including eight years at the Wharf Bar and Cafe.

“I saw the need in the whanau and I knew I could fill it,” she says.

“I can’t imagine life without the kids now. It’s a busy existence but there are far more ups than downs.”

Her face lights up as she talks with pride about her granddaughter Arahia, 21, who graduated last week with a Bachelor of Nursing from EIT Tairawhiti, and twins Janelle and Jamie, 12, and Jane, 7, who are in Gisborne’s top kapa haka team, Turanga Tangata Rite, run by her nephew Pura Tangira and his wife Timata.

“I go to watch their kapa haka training every weekend. It’s the highlight of my week,” she says.

Pukana eyesJane demonstrates her “pukana” eyes to me which make her beautiful golden brown orbs even bigger. Annette-Jane has to think hard to come up with a downside to raising such a large family.

“Losing my husband, July, five years ago took its toll. When he passed away, it was very hard for me. He was the totara tree of the whanau — strong and tall. One word from him and that was it.

“But the kids kept me going. They are my reason for living and getting up in the morning,” she says.

“It’s also hard when any of them are in trouble. I stand by them regardless because when it comes to the crunch, we are whanau.

“I lost two grandsons, one in 2012 and another in 2014 which really tore me apart, but I just had to keep going.”

When I ask Annette-Jane how many she is caring for at the moment, she rattles off 10 names: twins Lexus-Jane and Ebony-Grace aged five months and their mum Jaydene, 16; Stephen, 4; Jane, 7; twins Janelle and Jamie, 12; Tamika, 16; Jakoda, 18; and Dean, 22.

Annette-Jane’s great-grandmother was named Jane (Heni in Maori) which is why the name features so often among her descendants.

Lexus-Jane and Ebony-Grace were six weeks premature so Annette-Jane is helping their young mother look after them. Ebony- Grace was born with a hole in her heart and has a colostomy bag. She will need surgery when she is one year old.

“The twins both have monitors and I had to learn CPR before they were discharged from hospital. Looking after twin prem babies with health problems is extra work but it’s a piece of cake now,” she says.

A highly organised personAnnette-Jane is a highly organised person who makes sure she has all the important things done a week in advance — “like kapa haka uniforms and school stuff”.

Her day begins at 5am and she’s seldom in bed before 10pm.

Ilminster Intermediate students Janelle and Jamie have to be at school for the Atawhai leadership programme by 5.45am every morning for the next nine weeks so she has to be up even earlier to get them there on time.

“I have a huge washing machine and do four or five loads a day. There’s always washing always on the line, and I do the folding at night time while I’m watching TV.

“The kids all have jobs to do and there’s always a willing pair of arms to hold a crying baby. The older ones have turns at vacuuming the house and cooking meals.

“It’s a bit quieter during the day when the younger ones are at school but then the relations start to visit. The house is never empty, but I like it that way. I’m never lonely and I just go with the flow,” she says.

“We all eat dinner together at the same time at the dining table and in the lounge. It’s a bit like a marae here, but it suits me.

“I seldom get a break but I don’t need one because I don’t get tired and I love what I’m doing.

“If I had my time again, I’d do it all over again. I love waking up every morning surrounded by kids.

“And I stay fit running around after them all the time.”

The youngsters say they love being part of a big family and describe life as “crazy” and “cool”. They all call her mum.

On Mother’s Day, Annette-Jane is having a treat.

“Tomorrow, I’m going to Tolaga Bay for brunch. It’s a fundraiser for my grand niece Tangiahua Kerekere who has been chosen to represent New Zealand in the under-13 basketball team in Las Vegas.”

Annette-Jane’s message to others on Mother’s Day is to “love and treasure your mother, and grandmother”.

“I desperately miss my mum and grandmother. Take good care of them while they are still here with you.”