Principal's Page
Kia Ora Friends
A Farewell to Mina Andrews
Mina Andrews was our school Caretaker for 32 years. She also cared for our wider community for most of her adult life.
A few short weeks ago, Mina was diagnosed with cancer.
Last Tuesday, Mina passed on, and on Saturday, we commemorated her life and work at a beautiful and deeply emotional tangi held at Haven Falls.
This was and is a terrible sadness. Mina was only 64 and was gone too soon. Her life was and is an inspiration to so many. She gave and gave and was always there whenever anyone needed help, guidance, support, kai resources or just someone to pitch in and help.
On Saturday, I took the opportunity to share briefly a homage to Mina as follows:
Kia Ora koutou
Manaakitia koutou
I’m Ash, and I humbly represent our Western Heights Whanau here in great numbers to honour our friend and colleague.
At Western Heights School, we talk about the People and the Land - He Tangata and Te Whenua.
As Māori, we are inextricably connected to the land, I am the land, and the land is me.
We come from Papatuanuku, and in time we return to her. Mina returned before her time.
As I reflected on this force of nature that we knew as Whaea Mina, it brought to mind the symbol of strength and nurture in nature - the Totara. My piece today is not a memory but a pale attempt at a homage to a mighty Totara, a wahine toa in the truest sense.
In the shadow of the Waitakeres and amidst the whispers of tawhirimatea, we honour the memory of a remarkable wahine Māori. She was indeed a mighty Totora, firmly rooted in identity, strength, and wisdom. Today, as we bid her farewell, we acknowledge her profound impact on our lives and the legacy she leaves behind.
Like the Totora tree, she stood strong and proud. I can’t really say tall and proud because a step ladder was one of Mina’s best friends.
Nevertheless, like a Totora, her branches extended far and wide, offering shelter and support to all who sought solace in her presence. That presence was commanding, her spirit unyielding, and her love and kindness a constant in all our lives.
Mina’s life was one of service. She took pride in her service to her whānau, her Kura, her community and her culture.
Mina was our Caretaker - such a perfect name for the role she fulfilled with us and our community.
30 years of service to our school and a lifetime of service to her community and Whanau meant there was so much to be proud of.
Mina’s pride, too, in the accomplishments of all her children and grandchildren was inspiring.
Mina embodied the essence of mana wahine, the strength and grace of a Māori woman. She carried the weight of wisdom on her shoulders and the gift of love and service in her hands.
As the Totora tree eventually succumbs to the passage of time, so too does our beloved Mina now rest.
Though at rest, her spirit lives on in the stories we tell and in the memories we share. For example, the aching muscles from her boot camp crew will long be remembered.
Mina loved her children and her mokopuna, and she adored Steve. She was and is a lesson to us in the constancy of love. And in Steve, she found a partner worthy of the woman. Someone who is the yin to her yang. The quiet to her passion, the calm waters to the fire in the belly. Mina was blessed by you, Steve, as she was a blessing to you and to us all.
At Western Heights, we talk a lot about the importance of HOPE and leading with love.
Our hope for Mina’s whānau and our community lies in the whānau legacy she has gifted us.
In Kanah, for example, who carries the Ruru around her neck and who I believe will carry the Korowai of mana wahine for Mina and for us.
Mina was indeed a mighty Totara, a wahine toa.
She has left us far too soon, but she leaves us with taonga that we can carry forward in our hearts and treasure always.
"E moe i te aroha o te iwi, e te wahine whakahirahira."
Rest in the love of our people, our wise woman. Moe moe mai ra Mina.
Our flag is flying at half-mast this week in honour of our Whaea Mina.
As always - if you have questions or concerns about anything school-related - email me at macash@mac.com, and I will get back to you asap.
My very best regards to you all,
Ash Maindonald
Principal.
