Kia ora from the Positive Ageing Strategy Advisory Group

Lexia Puna

Ko Tuhirangi te Maunga

Ko Tutaekurī te Awa

Ko Timi Kara, Ko Moteo, Ko Wharerangi ōku Marae

Ko Ngāti Hinepare, Ngāti Maahu, Ngai Taiwhao ōku Hapū

Ko Takitimu te Waka

Ko Ngāti Kahungunu te Iwi

Ko Paora Kurupo tōku Rangatira

Ko Lexia Puna ahau

Ka nui taku mihi ki a koutou katoa, nō reira

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

I lived in Moteo with both my great-grandfather and his daughter, my grandmother. I was brought up in a strong self-sufficient cultural community. As a young girl I started playing in sports tournaments and participating in the Kapa Haka competitions against other marae whānau. Later in life I played for Napier High School Old Girls hockey team and became a Hawke’s Bay representative.

My grandmother cared for her father and other elderly kaumātua. Through this experience I felt an affinity towards caring for older people.

Growing up I went to school at Puketapu, walking two and a half miles each day with my brother and cousins. Some children, including myself, spent our intermediate learning at Taradale Primary and from there I became a boarder at Saint Joseph’s Māori Girls’ College. During my time at college I cared for one of the oldest nuns and during the school holidays I worked at Saint Mary’s nursing home on Mataruahou. At the end of my college education, I attended nursing training at Waikato Hospital. Although I and other students wanted to apply to train at Christchurch Hospital, we were informed that they did not take Māori girls as trainees. On completion of my training, I returned to Hawke’s Bay.

I got married and built our home in Napier where we had four daughters. Tragically my husband passed away after battling with cancer. My life changed immensely as I became a sole parent.

Some years later, I moved to Australia with my family and worked in a geriatric rest home before working in the communications industry, in Sydney. I managed and trained staff, working in a multi-cultural environment which I found interesting and educational. I joined the Sydney Māori Women’s Welfare League. We engaged with other community groups and assisted with their projects.

Many years later I returned to New Zealand as my mother had passed away and the new millennium was upon us. I lived in Wellington with my daughter and granddaughters. I worked with Telecom until I returned to Hawke’s Bay.

I continued to support our marae as a committee member, assisting with many tasks and representative roles. I became a manager at Te Kupenga Hauora – Ahuriri working with registered nurses and later I managed the establishment of the mental health service at Napier Taiwhenua.

I currently reside at the Napier City Council Centennial Village, in Taradale. I appreciate the friendships I have here. I spend time with my great-granddaughter and my whānau whānui as they live nearby.

I have worked in a voluntary capacity with many organisations. I was the President of the local Kiwanis Club, a global organization of volunteers who support activities that improve the lives of children, young people and the elderly.

I am happy and honored to be Co-Chair of the Positive Ageing Strategy Advisory Group alongside Peter Grant. I believe it is important to recognise and acknowledge the skills, life experiences and stories of our kaumātua, older people living in Ahuriri, Napier. I am looking forward to the mahi ahead of us, improving the health and well-being opportunities that support people living within our community.

Ngā mihi nui