Manawatopu was built to accommodate Heeni’s whanau and mokopuna. The papakainga had large gardens and orchards with numerous fruit trees ranging from apple trees, peaches and pears, to grapes and figs. Manawatopu was surrounded by large holdings of whanau whenua and it had cattle and farm animals which provided a self-sufficient lifestyle that was provident and ensured that our whanau and community were all looked after. At certain times during the year, depending on the seasons, there would be regular gatherings and working days when Heeni would call her children and mokopuna together to prepare seasonal preserves and harvesting from the large gardens. Much of this produce was shared equally with her whanau and with whanaunga throughout the valley. Whanau within Te Orewai retained mana whenua over their lands and resources were shared equally and communally. Nanny Ata continued to do this after our Ganny Heeni’s passing.

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Nanny Ata was also known as an astute business woman and entrepreneur. She was the postmistress at Pipiwai for many years, helping people in the community with their affairs, reading and writing important letters and generally advocating on their behalf. There were only two shops at Pipiwai. One was the general store and post office. The other was the tearooms and shop owned by Nanny Ata and the whanau which they operated for close to 20 years. At the shop, Nanny Ata and her tamaraiki  frequently made lunches for the school children, and sold ice-creams, sweets and second hand clothing. She used to have carport sales and made good money off them.