From glue-sniffer to Maori role model

When Annabel Whaanga saw actor Temuera Morrison at a hui last year she resisted the urge to rush up as others were doing and ask for his autograph.

Moments later there was a tap on her shoulder and there he was, asking Mrs Whaanga for her autograph.

"He was saying, 'You're that lady on the advertisements, you're the one that cleaned the toilets, aren't you?' " she recalled after the event.

It's moments like these - the acknowledgment of just how far Mrs Whaanga, a communications executive, had come since her days as a glue-sniffing, pregnant teenager living on the streets - that friends and family now treasure following the 34-year-old's death this week.

Mrs Whaanga died on Monday, 48 hours after a car accident near Dome Valley, north of Warkworth.

The mother of five had been heading back to Auckland with two friends when their car crossed the centre line and collided with a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Her sister, Deb McCulloch, said a passing doctor intubated Mrs Whaanga at the crash scene, which provided family and friends with precious time to say their goodbyes.

Mrs Whaanga's death has saddened people throughout NZ. She was admired by those she worked with at the Manukau City Council and well known as the woman in the Te Mana television advertisement who turned her life around.

As a child Mrs Whaanga, the second youngest of eight girls, had excelled at primary school. She was the one her late father always said had the most natural talent.

But then, as puberty struck, everything changed.

"She was a scholar when she was at school and then she hit puberty and did this sideways bend until one day she just started running away from home," said Mrs McCulloch.

"She lived rough, wherever she could find somewhere with a group of people. We would search for her and it would take days to find her. When we brought her home she would be so angry ... she would fight and run away again."

The rebellious teenager dropped out of high school before finishing third form. She filled her days sniffing glue, getting "homemade tattoos" and living on the streets. At the age of 15 she became pregnant. The child was adopted by one of her sisters.

"That brought with it its own pains and frustrations and angers," recalls Mrs McCulloch.

In the next five years Mrs Whaanga had two more children and although she flatted with their father for some of those years, she still lived "rough".

On the odd occasion she stayed with family she was aggressive and unable to communicate property.

"To string more than three words together was a huge sentence for Annabel."

Then at 21, for a reason which still remains unclear, the troubled young woman decided to take the first step towards turning her life around.

She went to Tamaki College as an adult student and, despite years of sniffing glue, did well in her exams. She also met her future husband Tau. Before long the couple had married and had two children of their own.

Living in Otara in conditions that "bordered on absolute abject poverty", Mrs Whaanga decided she wanted more out of life.

She also felt frustrated by what she saw as negative stories about Maori in the media.

So, while her husband worked seven days a week, Mrs Whaanga studied for a degree in communications. When she had no money for petrol, tutors would come to her.

When the cupboards were bare, as they often were, she relied on food banks. In between studying she scrubbed toilets for money to buy toilet paper.

Despite the difficulties Mrs Whaanga persisted and graduated with a degree that changed her life.

While working at the council she inspired colleagues with her enthusiasm for life.

At the same time she starred in the long-running Te Mana adverts, inspiring others to turn their lives around through education.

Mrs Whaanga's sisters spoke this week about their pride in her achievements.

 

"She was a wahine toa, a warrior - an amazing, brilliant woman."