'Tireless' teacher receives NZOM

By KATEE SHANKS in Whakatane
A WAIOHAU woman who moves effortlessly between Maori and European cultures has been included in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Of Tuhoe descent Anitewhatanga Hare has become a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Maori after a lifetime of dedication to her people.

Born in Ruatahuna, Mrs Hare moved to Waiohau to complete her primary school years.

She trained as a nurse in Rotorua for a year before having the first of her eight children, then moved into the teaching arena.

"I grew up with my family in Waiohau and then taught uncertified for 10 years," Mrs Hare said.

She was accepted for teacher's training at Hamilton in 1974 and enrolled in the first of many training programmes for teachers of Maori.

Since then, she has been the instrumental force behind Waiohau School becoming a Kura Kaupapa and behind Tuhoe education as a whole.

"I was raised in a generation and a community when Maori was still the predominant means of communication and principal way of life," Mrs Hare said.

"I hoped I could bring a wealth of valuable knowledge and experience of the old ways into my teaching."

Mrs Hare describes her 63 Waiohau students as her children and humbly says if she has taught anyone anything in her lifetime the pleasure has been all hers.

"I never thought I would receive anything like this for doing what I love but I am pleased for the children and pleased for Waiohau."

Her daughter Kathy Tinsley described the bond between her mother and the Waiohau School pupils and wider community as very close.

"She is a nurturer and it is apparent in everything she does," Mrs Tinsley said.

One of the ultimate focuses Mrs Hare has is the hui surrounding Tuhoe Rohe land claims and compensation.

She was recently a witness at a Waitangi Tribunal hearing providing an historical point of view from a woman.

Chairman of the Ngati Haka Patuheuheu Trust Robert Pouwhare described Mrs Hare as a respected teacher and a guardian of te reo me ona tikanga.

"She has done so very much for so many people and her tireless contribution to our many communities and to the intellectual rigor of Tuhoe deserves recognition," Mr Pouwhare said.