24/02/2026
PAST MEMBER PROFILE
Christina Rolleston
Christina Rolleston was born on the 26th of June 1954, the tenth of fourteen tamariki. From the very beginning, whānau was at the heart of her world — a value that would shape the rest of her life. She would go on to have three tamariki of her own, be blessed with six mokopuna and two mokopuna tuarua, and remain deeply devoted to each of them.
Chrissy attended Otumoetai College, completing her 7th form in 1971. The following year she moved to study at Victoria University of Wellington, before changing direction in 1973 to train in psychiatric nursing. Her calling was clear — to care for others. In 1976 she became a registered Psychiatric Nurse, completing a year of postgraduate training at Porirua Hospital.
Her nursing career reflected both leadership and courage. In 1977 she left Porirua Hospital and worked across psychiatric units in Waikato, Whakatāne and Rotorua as a relieving charge nurse. Later that year, in November, she became part of the establishment team that set up the psychiatric unit in Hamilton — now known as the Henry Bennett Centre. In 1978 she travelled to Sydney, working for four months in a private nursing home, before returning home to continue her service.
From 1979 to 1981 she worked as 2IC at the Psychiatric Unit at Whakatāne Hospital, followed by a role as night charge nurse at Rotorua Hospital in 1982. In 1983 she returned to Whakatāne, and in January 1984, six months pregnant with her eldest daughter, she made the decision to step away from nursing — choosing motherhood and whānau as her next priority.
Living in Kawerau with her partner Tim, she welcomed her first child into the world. To support her whānau, she worked as an egg collector and kiwifruit pruner while receiving the widow’s benefit — never afraid of hard work when it came to providing for her children.
In 1987, following the passing of her father, Chrissy returned home to Tauranga. There she poured her energy into hapū and community. She served as Secretary of Pirirakau Kōhanga Reo until 1990 and remained in a whānau support role until 1995. She was part of the working party that established the Rumaki Unit at Te Puna School — now known as Te Puna Mātauranga — helping strengthen pathways for tamariki to learn through te reo Māori. She later served two years on the Te Puna School Board of Trustees.
Between 1995 and 1998 she worked closely with researchers preparing for the Waitangi Tribunal hearing held in May 1998, serving as liaison on behalf of hapū Pirirakau. In 1998 she also became editor of the Pirirakau Express Newsletter, a role she held until funding ended in 2005.
Chrissy’s dedication to kaupapa Māori was unwavering. In 1981 she served as Eastern Māori Electorate secretary for the Mana Motuhake party. In 1985 she supported workers as part of the Tasman Pulp and Paper Workers Union strike support committee. Throughout the years she served on numerous committees — Pirirakau Land Claims, Tamariki Playcentre, Pirirakau Youth Council, Te Puna School Māori Immersion establishment group, and many more. At Poututerangi Marae she was a committed member of the Women’s Committee, served as Secretary, and stood proudly as Kaikaranga. She was also Trustee and Secretary of the Rolleston Family Trust.
In 1989, Chrissy joined the Māori Women’s Welfare League, Te Puna Branch — an organisation that would become a significant part of her life. She served as Branch Secretary from 2006 to 2010, then as Branch President from 2010 to 2019. In 2001 she researched and recorded the first fifty years of the branch’s history, producing a book for the league and community. Her dedication was recognised with a Citation for Life Membership in acknowledgement of her long-standing service. Despite her many responsibilities, she faithfully attended monthly meetings and regularly represented her branch at regional and national conferences.
Alongside this work, she also contributed to Te Kupenga Hauora as a Breast Screening Health Promoter, continuing her lifelong commitment to hauora and community wellbeing.
Outside of her many roles, Chrissy found joy in simple pleasures — gardening when time allowed, crochet, swimming, concerts and theatre. Above all, she treasured whānau gatherings and remaining close to her hapū and marae.
Her philosophy was grounded firmly in Mana Motuhake — the right to self-determination for Māori, and the full recognition and ratification of Te Tiriti o Waitangi within the law of Aotearoa. For Chrissy, this was not merely political belief, but a way of living — expressed through service, advocacy, and quiet determination.
She maintained ahi kā at the whānau homestead at Oikimoke in Te Puna until her passing on 26 August 2024. Her beloved mokopuna kept her on her toes, filling her later years with laughter and pride.
Christina Rolleston lived a life of service — to her whānau, her hapū, her community and her people. Her steady presence, strong principles and generous heart leave a legacy that will continue through the many lives she nurtured and uplifted. She is deeply missed.
