Potaka, Hinetara Biography 1991

POTAKA, Hinetara, OBE
Former Dominion President, Maori Women’s Welfare League
Born Te Puke, 12 November 1924, daughter of Ranapia Hiha and Harete (nee Devon);  married Wikiriwhi Potaka, son of Riri and Rangitauninihi Potaka, 1945; two sons.
Educated: Pukehina Primary school Te Puke; Queen Victoria College, Auckland; Dannevirke High School
National supervisor’s Certificate, NZ Playcentre Federation. Founder, Te Roopu-Awhina-Tamariki 1971, Foundation Officir, Department of Adult Education, University of Sydney, fostering Aboriginal Family Education Centres, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia 1969, 1970, 1975;Founder, Past President, Maketu Maori Women’s Welfare League, National President, Maori Women’s Welfare League, 1971-73 (life Member TE- Whaea-ote-Motu); Member, MWWWL Development Fund, Trustee, 1987-; involved in many MWWWL projects; seconded to Ministry of Fijian Affairs, Rural Development on New Zealand Foreign aid project, promoting, fostering Family Education Centres, 1976-77; Pre School Officer, Maori Affairs Department (now ITA Rotorua); involved Iwi Development through Kohanga Reo, promoting Maori language, Tikanga Maori; Tauranga Soroptimist Woman of the Year 1982. Past Senior Vice President, Life Member, Rotorua Playcentre Association (Past President Zone D, Rotorua Playcentre Association), Founder, Past Presidient, Maketu Playcentre; Vestry, Synodswoman, Te Puke, Tauranga Maori Mission District; Lay member, Paengaroa Scout Group (Medal of Merit 1975); Te Puke Rotary Club Meritorious Service Award; Chairman: Maketu Kokiri Kohanga Reo; Current co-ordinator, Awhina Whanau Education Service Trust, Te Puke.
Recreations: gardening, Maori arts  and crafts. Home economics,
Address: RD 9 Te Puke.