Farewell to a Light Bearer: Tira Ririnui Retires After 20 Years
For 25 years, Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust has been a place of hope, healing, and connection in our community. Among those who have shaped this journey is Tira Ririnui, a staff member whose 20 years of dedication have left an incredible mark on everyone he’s met.
Now, as he retires, we celebrate not only his years of service but the aroha and light he has carried throughout.
After two decades of service with Ngā Kete, I’m hanging up my lanyard, but not my aroha for the people. It feels like the right time to close this incredible chapter of my life, a chapter filled with compassion, service, and deep whanaungatanga.
‘I am what I do,’ I often say, having a love for people. Every day, I come to work and meet beautiful people. That’s what’s kept me here.
I’m originally from Tauranga Moana, one of thirteen children, but I was whāngai’d out to my grandparents who raised me on a farm. Growing up milking cows and living that simple, rural life, also raised in the Ratana Faith, Kia Tau Te Rangimarie (Always be at Peace) I believe that a child who has been raised by grand-parents are also raised by the village. All of this has shaped me into who I am today, Tihei Mauriora.
At 18, my big brother told me, get out of here (Tauranga), which I did. I went to Bluff, and worked at the Ocean Beach Freezing Works. My brother had already been down here and wanted me to get out and see more of life.
I worked at the freezing works for 18 years. This is where I made some ever-lasting relationships and picked up my life-skills, but it’s also where I learnt how to drink (alcohol), take drugs, and gamble.
The freezing works was seasonal, so in the-off season I went to Australia several times, but mainly worked in forestry - tree planting.
It was during this time where I met the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. We got married and raised two beautiful children.
That was 52 years ago and we’re still together.
The first 10 years of our marriage were tough though. We both struggled with our own unresolved grief issues, which lead to both of us turning to drugs and alcohol. We both knew a couple of friends who had cleaned-up and invited us to attend the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. These two fellowships saved both of our lives.
Twelve months into my recovery, in 1984, I got a part-time job at Rhanna Clinic (AOD Service at the Hospital). I spent two years there and then moved on to Te Huarahi Ki Te Oranga Pai (Kaupapa Maori AOD Service) and spent three years there until it closed. I went back to Rhanna Clinic, and 18 months later I was approached by Lesley Rewi who, at the time, was the manager of the Addition service (Gambling). She asked if I would join her and Whaea Carol Apiti here at Nga Kete. The rest is history.
For me if you lived with Tika and Pono, Aroha will follow. Once again, another taonga (gift) my people gave me. Even through the struggles/hardships (Poharatanga) times, I’ve always felt loved. Whakapono (faith) is a word that I grew up with which means: The ability to see the invisible, To believe in the impossible and to trust in the unknown.
I’ve witnessed miracles. I’ve seen people transform their lives, families healing, hope returning. All you need is love and faith. Every day brought someone new into my life, and every day was different. That’s why I’ve stayed so long. You end up becoming a light bearer. That’s what I’ve tried to be. We’re all healers here at Ngā Kete.
Over the years, I’ve seen office changes and worked under several managers (Lesley, Selina, Piki, Dave, Wendy) and made lifelong friends along the way.
People often ask why I’ve stayed so long. Honestly, I’ve been blessed. I’ve had someone walking beside me the whole time. My wife, the most beautiful woman in the world. She’s my rock, my number one supporter, my everything. I’m very, very lucky.
Together, we’ve raised two children and four grandchildren. Currently, our daughter and two mokopuna live with us, and we even have great-grandchildren. Life has been rich and full.
I’m incredibly proud of Ngā Kete and its 25 years of service to the community. I always knew it would last. It’s because of our CEO, a true visionary.
Recently, I felt it was time to move on and enjoy more time with my wife. I’ll miss Ngā Kete and the people deeply, but I’m looking forward to a well-earned wife and I time.
I’ve loved every moment of being here. And even in retirement, I’ll still try to carry the light. That’s always been my role, and it always will be. I am what I do.
The Art of Walking on Water is Knowing where the Stepping Stones Are
I believe, we here at Nga Kete provide these Stepping Stone (Services)
No reira noho ora mai i raro te manaakitanga o tou tatou ariki a Ihoa o nga mano mangai ae
