Chapter 21.3 

Gracie Pehunga Elers 

He maimai aroha

“Ko Rangitumau me Tararua ngā Maunga, ko Ruamahanga te Awa,

ko Wairarapa te Moana, ko Te Ore Ore te Marae, ko Ngāti Hāmua te Hapū,

Ko Ngāti Kahungunu me Rangitāne ngā Iwi, ko Potangaroa te Poropiti,

Ko Gracie Pehunga Elers tō mātou Māmā.

Tihei Mauriora”

Gracie Pehunga Elers was born in Te Ore Ore, Masterton on 29 May 1934; the 5th child and eldest daughter of Whanaupani Elers (nee Himona) and James Rupuha Elers.  Whanaupani died on 10 July 1938 from complications in childbirth leaving eight children between 11yrs and newborn.

Pāpā Richard Tahuora Himona  (Whānaupani’s brother) and Nani Riria Fowler looked after all of the children when Whānaupani died.  Wirapeti & Arapata Himona (Parents of Pāpā Dick Himona) also lived with them in an intergenerational whānau unit.  At some time Wirapeti and Arapata moved with the older children to a whare opposite the Marae. Pani remained in the care of Pāpā Dick and Nani Lil.

Gracie and her siblings attended Te Ore Ore School. Her whānau on both her Mother’s and Father’s side played significant roles in the establishment and governance of the school. Carew Thomas ‘George’ Elers was a teacher at the school in the late 1800’s teaching English and Arithmetic to 24 students. However, as he was not a certified teacher, he was obliged by Government law to cease teaching . Pāpā Dick Himona (Gracie’s Uncle) served as a member on the school committee from 1930 to 1951. “In 1936, the district officer of the Department of Education appointed him an honorary child welfare officer to assist in matters concerning the Māori people”.

In 1947 & 1948 Gracie attended St Brides in Masterton followed by St Joseph’s Māori Girls’ College in 1949 & 1950.

Grace 4th row 8th from left, Tangi - 4th row 9th from right

At St Joseph’s Gracie did not learn Māori as she took the Commercial course which included Shorthand Typing. Gracie started her working career as a Shorthand Typist in Masterton for State Fire Insurance. She then moved to Wellington and stayed at Pendennis Māori Girls’ Hostel in 13 – 15 Burnell Ave, Thorndon.  She worked for Earthquake and War Damage in Lambton Quay.

In the 1950’s Pendennis became a boarding hostel for Māori women moving to Wellington namely for work and education.  The hostel aimed to smooth the transition for the women from rural to urban living. The house became a symbol of Māori urban drift and the profound social changes New Zealand was undergoing at the time

Gracie had a friend who lived in Rotorua which prompted her to ask for a transfer to Māori Affairs office there. It was there in Rotorua where she met our Dad, Lyle Frederick Nicholls.

They shifted to Upper Hutt in 1953 and married at St Mary of the Angels Church in Wellington on 10 June 1953.

Lyle worked for Dunlop as a tyre builder. Their first child Paul was born in October 1953, followed by Colleen 1954, Bernadette 1955, Anne 1956, Michael 1958, Sandra 1959, Denise 1960 and Carol 1965.

Gracie and Lyle lived in Ebdentown Street, Miro Street, Cruickshank Road, Elm Street, Moonshine Road and Clouston Park Road.

E ua te ua e
Rain continues to fall

Linked to the death of second wife of James Rupuha.

Tragedy struck again for Gracie’s Dad and whānau when his second wife Helen nee Tauwhare died in 1956. The children from the second whānau were placed into care.  Beverly and Jean spent holidays in Upper Hutt with Gracie and whānau when they were living at 104 Miro Street. 

Whilst Gracie and whānau were living in Cruickshank Road, her brother Michael lived with them.  Michael came to Upper Hutt as a Trade Trainee under Māori Affairs. 

Not unlike Gracie’s upbringing with Pāpā Dick and Nani Lil and tipuna Kuia Wirapeti and tipuna Koroua Arapata Himona, Gracie opened her home to many people who stayed with the whānau for varying periods of time.

Whānau

Gracie and Tangi had a special connection.  They were not only sisters; they were best friends.  They were both involved with Māori Women’s Welfare League and they were foundation members of Ōrongomai Marae Committee.  Tangi was an amazing seamstress and Gracie’s girls were all fortunate to have clothes made with her love.

At one stage when Gracie and whānau were living at 56 Clouston Park Road, Tangi and her whānau were living at 61 Clouston Park Road. Their close relationship and intertwined lives meant that Gracie’s children and Tangi’s children grew up together. 

Whānau was important to all of Gracie’s siblings.  Most weekends she would visit Masterton for whakawhānaungatanga at her aunty and uncle’s place in Te Ore Ore. She would visit her brother Tom & his wife Judy’s and she would do the rounds to visit all of her siblings. Sunday roasts at her brother Tom’s and his wife Judy’s place is a treasured memory for the next generation. Gracie’s brothers had big gardens and she would always come home with kamokamo, potatoes, corn and other goodies.

On Gracie’s regular visits to Te Wairarapa, she would bring back crayfish heads and cook them in the kitchen when Lyle was at work, then distribute them to the families in Te Awakairangi.

He momo tonu - he mea tuku iho

Gracie’s community work commenced in 1961 when she became a Foundation Member of the Awakairangi MWWL and in 1962 became a Foundation Member of Māwai Hakona Māori Association. She became deeply involved in Māori welfare issues in Upper Hutt, where she met and worked with other like-minded Māori men and women including Mike Doolan .  She was involved with the Maori Education Foundation, Māwai Hakona cultural association and the establishment and operation of the Upper Valley Marae Community Centre, which came to be known as Ōrongomai Marae . 

In 1964 discussions began about building an urban marae. Discussions were slow and fast forward to 1968 it was decided to hold a public meeting to discover the depth of community interest.  At that first meeting on 20 October 1968 Gracie moved a motion “That a committee be formed to raise funds to build a marae in the Upper Valley area” .  The motion was seconded by Frank Wotton .

The growing concept of urban marae which cut across the idea of the traditional marae, had certain advantages for the fundraising committee, not the least being that it was now possible to involve the community.  Fundraising was slow – housie, cake stalls, sponsored walks to name a few. The kaupapa provided a shared vision to unite Māori families who were not linked by blood but became metaphoric whānau. 1970, John Woolf, a professional fundraiser was engaged to progress the aspirations of the fundraising committee. 

The ‘Queen Carnival’ was one of his initiatives; an event in which local businesses and organisations each sponsored a young woman as a ‘princess’. The goal being the princess who raised the most funds was the winner. Gracie’s eldest daughter Colleen was nominated as the Māori princess.  The Queen Carnival culminated in a parade of 70 floats carrying the princesses through the city in front of a crowd of 15,000. The 70-float procession moved steadily into the main streets of Upper Hutt where people were crammed to watch the procession and buy from the stalls.  There were side shows, raffles, beauty contests, gymnastic displays which all played a significant part in the successful day. The fundraising drive also included a ball, a baby contest. The winning princess was Gailynn Paaka from General Motors followed by Colleen Nicholls, the Māori princess

Their prize was a trip to Sydney.  Mum, Aunty Judy, Gailynn Parker and Colleen & Bernadette travelled to Sydney together. 

Māwai Hakona 

In 1973 Māwai Hakona won the Polynesian Festival (now known as Te Matatini).  As the winning team they were invited to perform at the opening of the Sydney Opera House in October 1973.

Ōrongomai Marae

On 13 September 1975 over 150 people participated in an interdenominational service, dedicating the Marae site preparatory to the initial breaking of the land. Architect’s plans had been approved and the building of the community centre commenced.

The Marae was opened on 22 August 1976. In the late 1980’s the direction of the Marae changed from being a community Marae to include a business arm.  As part of this change in 1987, Gracie commenced voluntary work at Ōrongomai Marae setting up and managing training programmes.  When funding became available this turned into paid employment.

Gracie was awarded a Queen's Service Medal in the 1982 New Year Honours. The Governor-General presented her with the award on 6 May 1982.  She was accompanied by two of her daughters – Bernadette and Sandra.

In 1990, Gracie was sworn in as Justice of the Peace. In the same year, a street was named after Gracie in the newly created subdivision – Riverstone Terraces to acknowledge her services to community.  Her son-in-law Malcolm Gillies was the Developer.  

Gracie’s paid employment in Upper Hutt included cleaning at Brunswick Private Hotel and the RSA.  She was Bar Manager, Secretary and cleaner at the Upper Hutt Club, barmaid at The Provincial Hotel and Shorthand/Typist at General Motors.  Most of her children assisted with the cleaning jobs regularly.

Gracie retired in 1996 but remained involved in voluntary work. School holidays came and went, and Gracie’s house was filled with the laughter of her grand mokopuna.  Most of them learnt to play cards and Rummikub.  Frequent visitors were Lily and Eden.  They would make their way over after school for afternoon tea and often stay in the weekends.

Raukokore

Gracie met Harry Eruera in the late 1970’s. They lived in Hardy Street, Waterloo and then Mayo Grove in Naenae.  Malcolm built them a house in Emerald Hill close to their own whānau home.  

Gracie’s whānau developed a relationship with Harry’s people, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and created some wonderful memories holidaying at Raukokore. Harry owned a batch (Te Moari), the first house on the beach past Raukokore Church. Gracie and Harry spent about 6 weeks in Raukokore each year. They would leave before Xmas and stay till the end of January. Gracie’s whanau would often plan to spend some time with them while they were in Raukokore. 

They enjoyed the hospitality extended to them by Harry’s whānau and reciprocated by doing building and other odd jobs around the house. The opportunity for those who lived in the city to experience life dictated by the elements rather than the clock was a humbling and enjoyable experience. Adults and tamariki alike spent time gathering food from the sea and the rocks, shelling kina, gutting and scaling fish and harvesting corn. 

Harry suffered ill health and spent quite a lot of time in hospital towards the end of his life. Gracie took Harry home to Emerald Hill Drive where the whānau nursed him until his death on 20 October 2002. 

She continued to get great pleasure from the simplest things in life such as, being around whānau, her mokopuna, white baiting, fishing, gardening and completing tasks around her home. When Tangi shifted to Otaki after retirement, Ōtaki became a second home to Gracie. She looked forward with great enthusiasm to receiving a call to say that the whitebait were flowing. The waders and net would already be in the car, so she was always prepared. Several whānau members would receive calls at night while Gracie and Tangi were relaxing to inform them of how many white bait were caught that day. It didn’t seem to matter if they caught 3 white bait, 3 ozs of white bait or 3 lb of white bait, enthusiasm was always high.

Gracie also found out that she enjoyed her own company sometimes. After a lifetime of giving, it was a whole new dimension to even entertain the concept of self. Gracie continued to host her whānau and Harry’s whānau who were in Wellington. Her children and their children continued to enjoy whānau dinners at her place on a Sunday evening.   

Gracie continued to live in the Emerald Hill house after Harry’s death until February 2017, when she moved in with Malcolm and Carol. It was a big transition for her to focus on herself rather than the needs of others

Gracie’s legacy 

At the time of publication, the following mokopuna and mokopuna tuarua carried her name:

Mahinarangi Grace Morehu-Isaacs, Madison Grace Gillies, Ariana Grace Cowan, Naphtali Grace Morehu, Maia Grace Leach, Grace Waikari, Kaia Grace Wilkes, Haven Grace Nicholls-Hepi, Jayda Grace Hikawai-Lawson, Tia Grace Nicholls-Hepi, Te Iho Rangi Gracie Morehu-Isaacs , Gracie Gillies.

Gracie’s life was devoted to her whānau and community.  One of her greatest achievements was bringing people together and nurturing them. Whānau dinners at her house in Emerald Hill was a weekly event. Most Sundays she would ring around the whānau to see what everyone was doing for dinner.  She would always ask how many are coming and that was so she knew how many pots of pork bones and watercress to put on.  It was always a hākari  as all those who attended also took kai to share.  

The numbers attending whānau dinners decreased after several whānau shifted across the ditch.  As much as possible Gracie’s whānau try to keep this tradition going.  

Despite Gracie losing her independence and suffering from heart failure towards the end of her life, she remained positive and enjoyed the time she spent with all of her mokopuna and mokopuna tuarua. Her whānau acknowledge the aroha and commitment and generosity of Malcolm and Carol to not only looking after Gracie, but also allowing all of the whānau to spend time with her at their home.

Gracie passed peacefully at Malcolm and Carol’s home surrounded by her whānau on 16 October 2018. Her tangi was held at Ōrongomai Marae. On the day of funeral service, a screen was set up outside the Marae to allow the numbers who attended to be part of service. The photo below of her children, mokopuna and mokopuna tuarua was taken after the hakari at Ōrongomai Marae.

Gracie was buried at Akatarawa Cemetery in Plot 2, Row 17, Plaque 1, on 22 October 2018, where Lyle and most of the people she worked with at Ōrongomai Marae lie. Gracie’s sister Tangi was also laid to rest at Akatarawa on 28 September 2020. The cemetery is well looked after and there is a wairua of serenity and peace that feels therapeutic and restorative. Two of Gracie’s mokopuna tuarua have been laid to rest with her. 

You are us and we are you

GRACIE PEHUNGA NICHOLLS

29 May 1934 – 16 October 2018

(nee Elers, QSM, JP)

The light you brought to the world is a legacy and memory that is etched as a footprint in the hearts and minds of those you touched and loved

AROHA MUTUNGA KORE NA TŌ WHĀNAU

Angels Born for Heaven Retimana & Paora

Due to Covid restrictions Gracie’s unveiling was delayed.  With no sign of the restrictions easing the whānau decided they would continue with plans to unveil her stone on Saturday 30 May 2020.   Numbers were limited to 50 which covered the whānau living in Upper Hutt and Colleen and Danny.  Also in attendance was Toni Tukaki and her whānau.  Toni is the mother of Gracie’s two mokopuna who are also buried with her.

With the help of technology and some tech savvy mokopuna a very interactive service took place.  Danny Morehu acted as MC as we zoomed around the world into the homes of whānau living in Dublin, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Auckland, Taupo and Blenheim.  The whānau gave their tributes and waiata and everyone celebrated afterwards with kai (Gracie’s favourite kai of course) and refreshments.  The link to the unveiling was posted on the Elers’ Whānau page for all whānau to participate regardless of their location.

At the Upper Hutt City Council Meeting on Wednesday 7 November 2018 His Worship the Mayor, Mr W N Guppy) acknowledged the passing of Grace Nicholls JP, QSM, who was a founding member of Māwai Hakona and Ōrongomai Marae. He said she was a compassionate spiritual leader in the community. A minute of silence was observed