Piri Galbraith once dreamed of a high-flying corporate career in a big-city skyscraper. Instead, the path she forged has brought her right back to her whenua [land] and whānau in the small Hawke’s Bay town of Pōrangahau.
Here, Piri runs Kurawaka Retreat Centre, farms with her husband Rich, and serves as a hapū representative on the local council. She also works with her brother, independent MP Tākuta Ferris.
“If I sat at home and did nothing, I’d be so bored,” laughs Piri, 50.
Living her dream
She’s undeniably found the success she coveted in her younger years and jokes that, in a way, she got her skyscraper too. But instead of a tower in the city, it’s her dream home on Aorangi Hill in Pōrangahau.
“I’d take this any day compared to the hustle and bustle of the city,” smiles Piri. “I’m sitting in my office and I can see my spa pool, then beyond that the farm, river and ocean, so we’re really blessed.”
While she lived away from home for 25 years the connection never faded. As a child, she was near her marae, surrounded by extended whānau and deeply involved in kapa haka – all of which she credits for shaping the woman she is today.rai
“Childhood here was blessed with lots of cousins and relations, growing up in the safe hands of our village.”
Her mum’s influence
Her mother Te Raina Ferris has had an equally profound influence. Piri can recall many times that she’s watched her stand on their marae as a kaikaranga (the woman tasked with the sacred job of calling visitors onto the marae).
In 2000, while Piri and her whānau were working at the education institution Te Wānanga o Raukawa, Te Raina had the opportunity to develop a course based
on her karanga expertise.
“I was Mum’s first enrolment,” Piri beams with pride. “Now thousands of wāhine all across Aotearoa have come through the āhuru mōwai [safe haven] of her teachings.”
Over the years, she’s steadfastly followed in her mother’s footsteps. In 2014, they built and launched the Kurawaka Retreat Centre, where they still share the art of karanga.
“We’re the disseminators to pass on this matauranga [wisdom], otherwise, it’ll be lost again,” she tells.
A deeper purpose
Women come to learn karanga, but she believes the deeper purpose is helping them understand who they are and how we all belong.
“It’s all about encouraging wāhine to stand in their mana,” says Piri, who took over the business in 2023 so her parents could retire. “Mum is 74. It’s beautiful because now she gets to just come in when she feels like it and sprinkle her magic dust everywhere.”
Piri has also spent nearly two years as the pou whirinaki Māori advisor to the Central Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, representing her people and bringing a Māori perspective to the table.
Taking on the role was daunting at first and as an exceptionally busy woman, she turned it down twice.
“But the third time, I said, ‘Okay, I’ll find some time,’ and it’s been an awesome journey,” she enthuses.
This year, Piri has also joined her brother Tākuta in Parliament to support his wider team.
She explains, “It’s making sure my brother is all right, sorting logistics, making sure everything is ticked and ready to go.”
“We’re going to be all right”
As a mother to Taikura, 18, Maioha, 16, Manaia, 15, and Ohomairangi, 12, the role comes naturally to her.
“If people need my help, then I’m going to do my best to support and tiaki [look after] them,” shares Piri, who features with her whānau on this week’s episode of Hyundai Country Calendar.
Over the years, hard-working Piri has been involved in many areas of her community, from the marae and Māori committees, to Playcentre and school, owning and operating the local dairy, and even serving as an ambulance officer.
By her side every step of the way is her husband Rich, 50, who runs their 48-hectare family farm.
Piri can’t help but smile as she talks about her beloved.
“He says I was his first girlfriend when we started preschool together,” she laughs. “I came home after 25 years and he was still here… It’s been a beautiful story.”
Now, just like she and Rich did, their tamariki are growing up on the whenua, surrounded by te ao Māori, watching and learning every day from their wider whānau.
“We’re grateful, we’re thankful, we’re blessed and we don’t take it for granted,” shares Piri.
“If we can instil these values in our tamariki, our nieces and nephews, and help them thrive, then you know we’re going to be all right.”
Hyundai Country Calendar screens on Sundays at 7pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
