Betty Kurukaanga
Hinemoa Elizabeth Kurukaanga (Betty) Nee Hawira died on 29 November 1991. Betty was born on 23 May 1922 at Kakatahi, the eldest of 18 children to Rangi and Mine Hawira. She was raised on the family farm on Parapara Road. Betty went to Ore Ore School, then was sent to Raetihi to be boarded by the McDonnell family to attend the Ohakune District High School. After this she worked as a house-keeper for Mr and Mrs P Stewart until her marriage to Pokaiaua (Kuru) Kurukaanga in August 1940. The couple then moved to Pitt Street, Raetihi. Her family of nine children came along in quick succession including one set of twins. About 1950 Betty and Kuru moved from Raetihi down to the Manganui-/a-T e-Ao Valley to farm some of the Kurukaanga land there. It was here that Betty put into practice some of the' farming skills she learnt from her father, Rangi Hawira. In 1965 they moved back to Raetihi to the present family home in Islington Street. From that time Betty raised those of her children still at home and also four whangaai (her mokopunas) of her two eldest daughters. At the same time Betty worked at several occupations, including
as a seamstress for Bryant's dress factory in Raetihi, as a garden hand for Peter Perkins and as an employee of Winstone's pulling pine seeds. During her time in Raetihi Betty (like her patents before her) was very active in the Anglican Church and at the time of her death was secretary/treasurer of the Wainui-a-Rua pastorate. Betty was always a keen gardener, her gardens being always admired by many people. At the time of passing her gardens were a delight to see. Her funeral service and tangi were held at the : Hawira homestead, Tuhiareku, and Betty was buried in the family urupo opposite the family farm on the Parapara ' Road. All her children and her 17 brothers and sisters were at the funeral or were represented by their own children. Betty will be greatly missed by all who knew her, her family and her Hawira whanaunga.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/RUBUL19920128.2.33.1
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Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 421, 28 January 1992, Page 10
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349Betty Kurukaanga Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 421, 28 January 1992, Page 10
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