Leading from the front issuu

Hawke’s Bay Today 23 December, 2017
by mark story
editorial:
minnie ratima’s
name now in lights
“Minnie Ratima changes lives. She takes children
into her home to keep them safe, and fights to find
a place for them”.
Of the 30-odd nominations that came in for this
year’s Hawke’s Bay Today Person of the Year, this
was the line that stuck with me. And the line that
as a member of the judging panel, swayed me.
The Marewa and former Maraenui super-hero
and cheerleader of youth was nominated by Meg
Rose, who also praised her friend for “reframing
relationships with police, politicians and nature”. It
was quite the nomination.
Let’s note that there were plenty of worthy finalists.
Among them teachers, social justice crusaders,
lawyers, those who work with the disabled,
sports coaches and people who work with the
terminally ill.
Suffice to say as a judge distilling this list is a torturous
exercise; it’s incredibly tough to put a line
through the names of those who have so many
selfless credentials.
But, of course, there can be only one. As opposed
to some other years, there were no arguments
as to who should wear the gong.
Regionally, the danger is to view Minnie’s actions
in isolation. But the truth is there’s a huge dividend
for the entire community when kids are properly
housed, educated and taught to strive for a situation
better than what they were handed at birth.
Many of us would not of heard of this trouper
— who by the way also happens to be a Māori warden.
But those who have been helped and housed
Top: Minnie, feted and proud as Hawke’s Bay Today’s 2017
Person of the Year; Above: Former editor Hawke’s Bay
Today, Andrew Austin, Maxine Boag, Pat, Api Tapine,
Minnie, Megan Rose, deputy editor Hawke’s Bay Today
Mark Story. Photos Warren Buckland
by her would certainly say they owe her a massive
debt of gratitude.
Evidence of her impact was appreciable
when Hawke’s Bay Today turned up to present
the award at her home on Wednesday this week.
We were struck not just by her humility, but by the
numbers that turned up to celebrate her achievement.
Many sectors were represented from school,
police, the Napier City Council, Māori wardens,
whānau and neighbours.
As was said of her, she walked a path “few would
choose”. Well done to you Minnie; we have you to
thank for making Hawke’s Bay a better place in
which to live in 2017.
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Minnie Ratima - 1964 - 2020