Full Name
Geneva Tui Hildreth
Job Title
Chair
Organisation
G. T. Hildreth
Speaker Bio
Hinahina te Maunga, Ruawahine to awa, Akerama te Marae.
I'm a Maori Women hailing from the beautiful Te Taitokerau, Northland.
I am the proud mother of three children and nine mokopuna (grandchildren).
Although I live in a house bus and travel the motu (country) for at times months on end my home base is on whanau (family) whenua (land).
Returning to the whenua after 60+ years was exciting prospect tinged with sadness to have been separated from this special place for so long. This I view as a privilege, to be living on the whenua of my tupuna (ancestors).
A place that I spent some of my young years. The 50s were tough times, no power only cold running water. I guess this helped to forge my resilience and deep respect for the whenua. Learning and to witness my mother having to provide for her whanau. Gathering kai (food) from what the whenua and Ngahera (bush) would provide seasonally. (Not until much later in life did those experiences lead me on the path of self sufficiency). We had a small herd of cows thus providing us with milk and cream.
Once I left the shelter of our small community of Towai did I truly experience life and travel. Meeting other's and sharing passion for Paptuanuku, both in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and other countries. The fact that language and culture may be different our common denominator is Papatuanuku.
Although retired I continue to Mirimiri Papatuanuku (mother earth). Taking care of Paptuauku is a passion and a necessity in these uncertain times. We look after Papuanuke and she'll look after us.
I've been involved with TWKO since its inception in 2001 and am the current Chair.
I'm a Maori Women hailing from the beautiful Te Taitokerau, Northland.
I am the proud mother of three children and nine mokopuna (grandchildren).
Although I live in a house bus and travel the motu (country) for at times months on end my home base is on whanau (family) whenua (land).
Returning to the whenua after 60+ years was exciting prospect tinged with sadness to have been separated from this special place for so long. This I view as a privilege, to be living on the whenua of my tupuna (ancestors).
A place that I spent some of my young years. The 50s were tough times, no power only cold running water. I guess this helped to forge my resilience and deep respect for the whenua. Learning and to witness my mother having to provide for her whanau. Gathering kai (food) from what the whenua and Ngahera (bush) would provide seasonally. (Not until much later in life did those experiences lead me on the path of self sufficiency). We had a small herd of cows thus providing us with milk and cream.
Once I left the shelter of our small community of Towai did I truly experience life and travel. Meeting other's and sharing passion for Paptuanuku, both in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and other countries. The fact that language and culture may be different our common denominator is Papatuanuku.
Although retired I continue to Mirimiri Papatuanuku (mother earth). Taking care of Paptuauku is a passion and a necessity in these uncertain times. We look after Papuanuke and she'll look after us.
I've been involved with TWKO since its inception in 2001 and am the current Chair.
Speaking At
