A Rotorua Daily Post reader said the library should be re named after Aunty Bea Yates. Photo / File
A Rotorua Daily Post reader said the library should be re named after Aunty Bea Yates. Photo / File
A local councillor says he is open to creating a memorial to Aunty Bea after a number of Rotorua Daily Post readers supported a suggestion to rename the library in her honour.
Teacher, fundraiser, entertainer, author and family woman Beatrice Piatarihi Tui Yates (nee Grant) died last month, at the age of 78.
Aunty Bea – as everyone knew her – spent all her life giving to others and raising money for and awareness of several health causes.
In a letter to the editor late last month, George Barnes sparked the idea that a public building be named after Aunty Bea in recognition of what she gave to Rotorua.
In the following weeks a number of readers wrote in, agreeing the library was the perfect building to be renamed in honour of Aunty Bea.
Rotorua district councillor and close friend of Aunty Bea, Trevor Maxwell, said he would be open to having a conversation about naming something after the "incredible and wonderful woman".
"First we as a community need to take time to grieve the loss, then we can sit down as a council and with her whānau to discuss the options and whether that is something they want."
He said renaming the library wasn't the best option as there was already the Don Stafford room inside, but he did think there should be some kind of memorial.
"There are options we can look at, perhaps the children's area of the library, or even the dialysis unit at the hospital which she fundraised so hard for."
Aunty Bea participated in a number of children's programmes at the library as well as launching a number of te reo Māori books for children. Photo / File
Rotorua Library director Jane Gilbert said the idea hadn't been put to or discussed by the council but said the library acknowledged Aunty Bea's contributions to Rotorua and the valued relationship the library enjoyed with her over the years.
"The library really appreciated her participation in a number of children's programmes at the library as well as launching a number of te reo Māori books for children.
Aunty Bea's daughter Wahanga Yates Wright said, on behalf of all her whānau, they were truly humbled by the suggestion.
"For this to be brought up has been quite moving, it's been just over a month since she left us but we still feel her presence around and miss her dearly.
"It's a difficult task to pinpoint just one place to remember Mum, as she has helped so many organisations and I would be more than happy to discuss this wonderful kaupapa with the council."
She said renaming a part of the public library seemed the most fitting and her mum would be "overwhelmed with joy" to know people were wanting to remember the positive contribution she made.
"Over the years Mum's books have been read by hundreds of families and many have enjoyed her storytelling at the library.
"I know Mum treasured these events, contributing to children and families and imparting histories of Te Arawa was a passion and commitment she had."
