Geraldine (Dene) Reweti (92)
Ko Mauao te maunga Ko Tauranga te moana Ko Wairoa te awa Ko Wairoa te marae Ko Geraldine Hinemoa Reweti ahau. Geraldine (Dene) Reweti was born in Paeroa 18 August 1926. When Geraldine was about 10 her mother and some of the whānau around the hapū met Miss Birley. At the time Miss Birley would take Sunday school and confirmation classes.
In those days, Dene would also attend lessons at Miss Birleys quaint chapel; still standing at 103 Ohauiti Road. It was at these lessons that Dene would meet Hereaka who would one day become her husband. Miss Birley played a big part in Geraldine’s life and the decision for her to attend Queen Victoria Māori Anglican Church College in Auckland. Miss Birley even paid Dene’s tuition fees so she was able to attend the school.
On returning from College, Dene took a job at Maungatapu Primary School and she worked there for three years before getting married and starting a family of her own. Together with Hereaka, they raised six children and Dene now has over 30 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dene later went to teach at Bethlehem Primary School where she stayed working until she was 88 years old in 2014. Throughout Dene’s life she has been involved with the Anglican church and has tried to maintain the things Miss Birley taught her, like baptisms, confirmations and upholding the lore’s of the church. Miss Birley wasn’t strict or a bully but she was passionate about the church and her beliefs.
Dene still attends the Maungatapu All Saints church since the services at her local marae have been discontinued.
