Jacqueline Joy Alipate

Jacqueline Joy Alipate

Jacqueline Joy Watts (9 February 1956 – 22 January 2026) was a New Zealand born Māori with Scottish roots. Most of her life was invested in raising her children, became a longstanding Board of Trustee member at Star of the Sea School, Howick and later returned to the workplace where she found her calling as a Union Representative while working at Cater-Air and a proud Mōrehu (followers) of Te Hāhi Rātana (the Rātana Church), a distinct Māori Christian religious and political movement in New Zealand.

She was known for her dedication to family, service to others, and mentoring those around her.

Tribute to Jacqueline Joy Alipate

Life Story

Mum was born in Tinopai, New Zealand on 9 February 1956 and grew up in Otara, New Zealand as one of nine children. Her parents were Jack Wiapo Watts and Kura Arangi Ihimaera Watts. She had 9 siblings, and her family remained deeply important to her throughout her life. Her family would sometimes affectionately call her KuniKuni or “Goon” as a nickname gifted to her by her step-great grandmother, Elizabeth Paikea Watts.

Her childhood was challenging. She grew up in poverty and, like many young people of her generation, did not have the opportunity to finish her formal education. At just 15 years old, Mum went to work at the newly established Bluebird Factory in Otara so that she could help support her family. Leaving Hillary College at such an early age was a great sacrifice, but it became part of the strong, determined and hardworking woman she would grow into.

Mum later left to Australia in her early 20’s where she met Dad in Sydney in the mid-late 1970s, and their relationship blossomed into a beautiful marriage. They were married on December 1978, beginning the journey of the family they would build together . Their meeting marked the beginning of their life together and the family they would go on to build.

Family was always at the heart of Mum’s life. She was a much-loved sister and was loved by her nieces and nephews. She especially enjoyed having family visit from out of town and loved opening her home to them. Hosting family, sharing time together and making people feel welcome were some of the ways she showed her love.

Mum's journey took her from New Zealand, Australia, Tonga, Thailand, Canada and Alaska and eventually returning back home to Otara, where she passed away. She is now laid to rest in Tinopai surrounded by the love and memories of her family.

Her life was one of sacrifice, hard work, faith, perseverance, family and service to others.

She will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, cousin, niece, aunty and friend.

Family Tree (Whakapapa)

TBC

We found a handwritten Pepeha Mum created while attending a Te Reo program:

Mums Pepeha

Parents

John Jack Wiapo Watts and Kura Arangi Ihimaera

Spouse

• Taniela Denny Alipate

Children

4 children

Resting Place

Cemetery: Ngā Tai Whakarongorua (Tinopai) Marae

Location: 37 Chadwick Road, Tinopai, Northland, New Zealand.

Headstone Create by: Headstone Factory Limited

Epitaph

W.M.T.W.A.M.T.Ae

Jacqueline Joy Alipate née Watts

Sunrise: 9 February 1956Sunset: 22 January 2026

Beloved wife to Taniela, cherished mother to Corina, Karen,

Adrian and Alexander, adored grandmother, loved sister and aunt.

E Te Whaea, Te Whakaruruhau Maia o Te Whānau

To Our Mum, The Shelter and Stronghold of our Whānau

Kua tae atu koe ki te kaīnga tuturu mo tatou katoa

You have arrived to the final resting place for us all

Aroha Mutunga Kore nā Tō Whānau

Eternal Love, From Your Whānau

Family Archive

The LovedForever memorial for Jacqueline may preserve family materials such as:

• Family photographs
• Letters
• Personal documents
• Funeral programmes
• Family stories
• Newspaper articles
• Videos
• Important memories
• Other historical family materials

Legacy

Jacqueline Joy Alipate's legacy lives on through the people who knew and loved her.

She will continue to be remembered as a mother, grandmother (Nana), sister, aunty, friend and beloved wife.

Her story can continue to grow as family and friends add photographs, memories, stories and messages to this memorial.

Jacqueline's legacy lives on through the people who knew and loved her.