High tribute paid to Catherine Goldsmith

GREAT SURPRISE: Catherine Goldsmith was overwhelmed by a celebration held in her honour last week. PHOTO: LANI HEPI

A woman who has had long and close relationships with Maori organisations throughout the Eastern Bay was honoured at a surprise celebration last week.

There was doubt the 150 invited guests would be able to keep the secret celebration from Catherine Goldsmith but it was immediately evident they had been successful when the guest of honour arrived.

A visibly overwhelmed Mrs Goldsmith was walked onto Kokohinau Marae by whanau only moments after she had realised the people gathered had done so to acknowledge the tireless work she had done in the Eastern Bay community.

Maori Land Court Judge Layne Harvey was among the gathered guests, there to pay tribute to the huge amount of work she does for people in the wider New Zealand community.

Since 1997 when Mrs Goldsmith and her husband Walton started their accountancy practice in Whakatane, Mrs Goldsmith has worked with Maori trusts, marae and kohanga reo - initially gaining respect then being embraced by all those she has worked with.

She started her accountancy career in Hastings, the place she was born, and was one of the first Hawke's Bay women to become a chartered accountant. She and Mr Goldsmith married in 1969 and arrived in Whakatane in 1972.

Mr Goldsmith was the first to say the secret had been a hard one to keep.

"Catherine would begin a conversation and I'd have to keep it as brief as possible in case something slipped out," he laughed.

In a biography presented at last week's celebration, Mrs Goldsmith was described by her husband and her son Kenneth as patient and never criticising.

"My mother's firmly believes if you can't find something good to say about someone, say nothing at all," Kenneth wrote. "She has applied that philosophy to her work with a range of organisations and has always valued the relationships she has with people."

At the celebration Mrs Goldsmith was presented with a korowai (cloak) made by Wharehika Monty Thompson.

"Mum understands what it means to wear a korowai and what it means to Maori. She knows there is a lot of weight to carry and what an honour it is to receive one," Kenneth said.

Following the presentation of the korowai Mrs Goldsmith said she was speechless. "I'm just so overwhelmed, I can't believe this is happening and I can't believe there are enough people who think I deserve it."

Guests were treated to a hakari (feast) and listened to speeches including words from both Mr and Mrs Goldsmith's families, who had travelled from throughout the North Island.

Days after the event, Mrs Goldsmith was still telling everyone she was undeserving of such an honour.

"But that's who she is though," her husband said. "She would much rather be in the background doing the mahi [work] than on the stage being recognised for it."

Trina Hayes, who works at Goldsmiths and organised the celebration, laughed when she said it had been the best kept secret in Te Teko.