Words spoken by her great-grandmother - often coming to her in dreams - inspires Janelle Murphy in her work with prisoners behind bars at the Mt Eden Corrections Facility in Auckland.
Murphy's "Nanny" was not just anyone though: She was Dame Whina Cooper, a respected Maori kuia (elder), famous for leading thousands of people on a 1000km march (hikoi) from Te Hapua in the far north to Parliament in Wellington in 1975 to present a petition protesting the alienation of Maori land.
Murphy, who has worked as a Principal Corrections Officer at Mt Eden for three years, says a speech Dame Whina made before her death in 1994 helped her make the decision to try for the job.
"One of Nanny's last speaking engagements was at a prison in the South Island when she told inmates: 'There is a right path and a wrong path, it's up to you to choose'," says Murphy.
"I was told about this speech by my cousin at the time I was considering applying for the Corrections job, and it really inspired me to give it a go.
"She spent her life trying to help her people and I feel I am doing what she would want me to do; to help not just Maori but all people to get out of the ruts they are in," she says. "I see her in dreams (they started 10 years ago) and in them she prompts me to get out and continue the work started by our ancestors."
Dame Whina, who was 79 at the time of the march, served in the 1950s as the first president of the Maori Women's Welfare League and was bestowed as the 'Mother of the Nation' (Te Whaea o te Motu) by her people.
"The day I started it was Maori language week and the press photograph of Nanny (Dame Whina) taken the day the hikoi began in Te Hapua was all around the prison. When I saw it, I knew I was meant to be here," she says.
"I was about nine before I realised who she was and where she stood in the world and in many ways we sacrificed our Nanny for the good of the nation. She has been a great role model for me."
Murphy is one of six officers who will take part in a panel session to answer questions from people interested in finding out what being a Corrections Officer is like. The event, part of a recruitment drive, will be live streamed online on October 29.
Murphy, who previously worked in early childhood education and Te Kohanga Reo, has five grandchildren of her own.
"I love my job and have never regretted working at Mt Eden," she says. "It has changed my life and I have found working with other officers is like being in a big family.
"We look out for each other and become quite close; we develop strong bonds not unlike what I imagine it is like in the armed forces."
Murphy says the job is challenging. "To be honest you need to be a bit thick-skinned because we are dealing with people, some of whom are guilty of horrendous crimes.
"But Corrections gives us great training and the other staff are always there for help and advice as well," she says. "I am always very careful and never put myself in a situation of any danger.
"I tell the prisoners it is my job to look after them while they are here and to let them know I hope they never come back. I think it is especially important to have female officers because there are many men in here and sometimes egos can get in the way.
"As women we can take a more motherly or sisterly approach; I like to give them Nanny's message about the right and wrong paths because I know she wouldn't want to see these people being in prison.
"Sometimes I don't say have to say anything, I just give them the look."
Corrections chief custodial officer, Neil Beales, says people interested in learning more about a career as an officer can submit questions for the panel - and register for the livestreaming - at http://live.corrections.govt.nz
"For many, their only knowledge of prisons comes from television, which often doesn't mirror the reality," he says. "Yes, it's tough, challenging and confronting, but working to change people's lives is also hugely rewarding.
"Many worry about how friends and family would perceive the job, how much ongoing support would be available, whether they will be safe at work or the unknown of what's behind the prison fence.
"These deeply held views may be holding back great people from applying for a role and we want to provide as much information as possible to help them make an informed decision," says Beales.
"Unlike the police, fire and ambulance officers, Corrections Officers operate out of necessity behind the wire so we want to make it possible for aspiring employees to ask questions of those working behind the wire – and in real time."
The livestreaming will take place at 8pm on October 29 at http://live.corrections.govt.nz