Life Members
Life Membership of Te Rito Maioha is bestowed upon long standing members who have demonstrated distinguished service in the causes of members and early childhood education and care.
The honour is given sparingly as this is the highest honour awarded by Te Rito Maioha.
We currently have 17 living life members and in 2026 inducted two new life members, Meg Moss and Ani Maea.
In 2023 to celebrate our 60th year we published a book Life Stories on the Front Line: Growing a childcare movement in Aotearoa written by one of our life members Helen May.
Life Member Roll of Honour
Meg Moss – Life Member 2026Ani Maea – Life Member 2026
Eneleata Taupso – Life Member 2022
Dr Anne Meade, ASO,CNZM – Life Member 2022
Helen Baxter – Life Member 2022
Helen Orr – Life Member 2007
Noreen Moorhouse, QSM – Life Member 2004
Berys Scouse – Life Member 2001
Jude Simpson – Life Member 1999
Heather Te Huia – Life Member 1999
Alison Leonard – Life Member 1997
Maureen Jehly, QSM, MNZM – Life Member 1995
Helen May – Life Member 1990
Crispin Gardiner – Life Member 1990
Katherine Baxter – Life Member 1990
Pat Hubbard – Life Member 1988
Cathy Lythe – Life Member 1987
Jan Taouma, QSM (1948–2025) – Life Member 2012
Kahuwaero Katene (1931–2024) – Life Member 2003
Barbara Hale (1937–2019) – Life Member 1995
Joyce Coss (1920–2012) – Life Member 1995
Parematarangi Fawcett (1922–2008) – Life Member 1993
Mary Alice-Bramwell (1945–2022) – Life Member 1992
Margaret Lamb (1930–2008) – Life Member 1990
Pam Croxford (1945–2005) – Life Member 1990
Marge Williams (1925–2005) – Life Member 1988
Joan Kennett, QSM (1926–2021) – Life Member 1988
Don Wilson (1920s–1988) – Life Member 1986
Joyce Mitchell (1930s–2000s) – Life Member 1985
Sonia Davies (1923–2005) – Life Member 1976
Jessie Donald (1908–2006) – Inaugural Life Member 1968
