HARRIET PALMER harriet.palmer@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Monday, 31 December 2007
Wetere says she has retired, although for her, retirement has quite a different meaning than it does to many.
Ms Wetere has been working in the community, mainly with Maori, for more than 55 years. Even though she says it's time for others to take over, she shows little sign of slowing down.
She has been a member and branch president of the Maori Women's Welfare League, was the first woman trustee of the Owae Marae Committee in Waitara, and was part of Taranaki's Clean Sea Action group.
Today, Ms Wetere wants younger people to take over the instrumental roles in Maori society, and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are all following proudly in her footsteps.
Ms Wetere has been awarded the Queen's Service Medal for services to the community.
Today that means helping to knit 800 pairs of slippers to be given to delegates at a Maori Women's Welfare League conference.
It also means travelling to Wellington to be present at the signing of the Agreement in Principle which assures the return of the Port Nicholson Block to the Taranaki Whanui.
"I don't even think about it," Ms Wetere said.
"I used to finish a day's work and wonder what else I could do."
Ms Wetere grew up in New Plymouth and is of Te Atiawa and Ngati Maniapoto decent.
She is a JP and has been a marriage celebrant, but it is her work with marae that has meant the most.
"I've always been interested in marae. They don't have any funds. They rely on koha and the goodwill of people," Ms Wetere said.
Volunteering is where Ms Wetere has met people and been able to make a difference in the lives of her people.
"It's quite wonderful," she said
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