From Papua New Guinea with love

A former missionary and teacher in Papua New Guinea forged links which have spanned generations. Blenheim woman Beverley Kater sits down with William Woodworth to talk about the legacy she is proud to be part of.

Upon arriving in Port Moresby in the late 1960’s, Beverley Kater had no idea her work and kindness would one day make her an unofficial New Zealand grandmother to the country of Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Alongside husband Howard Furlong, Beverley worked as a teacher and missionary throughout the island nation.

Travelling to some of the most isolated parts of the region from 1967 to 1981 – with three kids in tow, and another two born on mission, Beverley made more than friends, she forged ties which would endure.

During her 14 years in PNG, almost nine years at Guala Station, four running a hostel for missionary children and two teaching future pastor couples - Beverley and Howard’s work continues to reverberate down the years.

“The children and now grandchildren have come to New Zealand, whether it’s in Marlborough working or training at university to be teachers, doctors, lawyers, and choose here because at least a little of the work we did,” Beverley smiles.

“I passed down the passion for PNG to my son Bruce, who has been instrumental in helping to get Papuan’s come here and work, so Papua New Guinea comes to me now.”

Howard’s sister had gone to Papua New Guineas as a missionary nurse. Her stories captured Howard and Beverley’s interest and the pair made the big move.

“It was a big culture shock – arriving at Port Moresby airport there were bare breasted ladies feeding their babies as we disembarked, and I told my husband don't look!” Beverley laughs.

“But I didn’t mind it, because we just had to adapt to what we had – the kids made their own toys, played around the grounds and found their interests in engineering and flying because of our travels by plane because they knew no different.”

The couple broke down educational barriers across the country.

“The final training role was originally for just the men, but my husband said that he would only take the role if they included the women, so that's what happened which was quite revolutionary at the time,” Beverley explains.

In 1981, Howard was diagnosed with bowel cancer and died not long after the family returned to New Zealand. However, the connections they made as a family endured both distance and time.

“We promised to return when the couples graduated from college,” Beverley explains.

“With Howard passing away those same couples raised $800 NZD to buy my flights back for their graduation.  It took so much sacrifice considering they would only be earning money from selling crops and chickens.”

Upon walking up the hill to Guala again, the community had made a huge “Welcome Home” banner – and Beverley says the family still feels that pull ‘home’ to PNG as well.

“I went back probably six or seven years ago now, and it was incredible how many remember.

“A lady told me ‘My father said I couldn't go to school, and your husband came to him and persuaded to let me go - and now I'm a schoolteacher.”

“Another man told me that should I pass away, he has land for me to be buried on which is such an honour because of the importance of their land traditionally, so I take so much pride in stories like that”.

For the many Papuans who move to New Zealand for education and jobs, Beverley is an unofficial grandma, and she loves it.

Papuan and Marlborough resident Burie Lilly says after being told of Beverley’s connection to her home, she was eager to meet and have become fast friends.

“She’s just like such a lovely grandma; I was so excited to meet her and share from stories from home.

“But when I met her, I thought that's such an incredible legacy for a real pioneer to Papua New Guinea,” Burie says.

“I think she was incredibly brave, generous and maybe a little reckless at the time, but she’s given so much and continues to be appreciated.”

Beverley describes her time overseas as a privilege, remarking she got just as much back from the people she was sent to teach.

“It’s a privilege that God sent me there, because even now many have nothing and they're always smiling, they're always happy,

“We went there to teach them, but from them, I continue learning to this day and it's formed me into the person you know.”