-
Rachel Maihi - Source: ONE News -
Related
Tea-lady Rachel Maihi has been described as a "man magnet" but most people in the teacher's staff room at James Cook High School call her the "mother of everyone".
Staff say Rachel not only makes a great cup of tea, she's a great one for cheering people up, and lending a sympathetic ear.
There are 140 staff at James Cook High in Manurewa, and all of them sing her praises.
"She's been referred to as the mother, mother of school or of everyone," one staff member told Hadyn Jones for Goodsorts. "She'd do anything for you at the drop of a hat."
But she's also mother in another way - getting up at 5am every morning to make lunches for her six grandchildren.
Although just over a year ago she thought her school lunch-making days were over, tragedy intervened.
Now she helps her son Shane care for his youngsters after his wife Esther tragically died of a heart attack at the age of 32.
"Because we didn't want to split them up, I wanted to keep all the siblings together, mum and dad came to the aid and have taken the parent roles," explains Shane of Rachel and his dad Glenn's dedicated role.
Rachel said the decision to take on the role was an easy one.
"I didn't think twice, I just wanted to grab them," she says.
Shane is eternally grateful he's had help in such a tough time.
"I can't even express in words what mum's done for me," he told Goodsorts.
It's typical of Rachel Maihi - a people person who's helping keep her own family together in much the same way she brings people together in her day-job.
Nominate someone for Good Sorts
Read and watch more Good Sorts.
