MAHINA left home in 1968 as a 16-year-old to begin his apprenticeship in Carpentry at the Trentham based Māori Trade Training. Mahina follows a line of whanau carpenters including his grandfather Tuheka Taonui Hetet, who was the building supervisor for the unique Ratana Temple, Whanganui. Mahina’s uncle Bill (Wilson Charles Hetet) was also a builder, as was his son Tui and the pair, built Mahina’s grandmother, Nanna Rangimarie Hetet’s first home in Te Kumi Rd, Te Kuiti. Having completed his apprenticeship, Mahina remained in Upper Hutt working as a qualified carpenter and has since maintained his status as a Master Builder.

Soon after qualifying, Mahina (19) met Jane Rosemary Seaton (18) and the pair married on 11 February 1972.  The couple soon settled into raising their young family of four, Tania, Natalie, Piri and Rawinia. They lived in their first family home Mahina built in Riverlea, Upper Hutt. Nine years later, the family moved to Te Kuiti in 1981, where Mahina and Jane soon bought and renovated a house in Ward St, Te Kuiti. It was during this time, that Mahina, alongside Uncle Bill, build the main building at Ohaki Māori Village at Waitomo.

Then in 1984, the young family packed up again and headed overseas to Australia, settling in Cleveland, Queensland.

After a few years, Mahina and Jane separated, and he married Toni Murray. They too parted company. but not before Mahina renovated their home in Willowie Crescent, Capalaba After two decades in Australia, Mahina decided it was time to return home to Te Kuiti. His now grown-up adult family remained in Australia where their lives were well established. Mahina soon bought and renovated another home in St Lukes Crescent Te Kuiti. A few years later, Mahina sold the house to his sister Kahutoi and relocated to Invercargill in the South Island where he currently resides and continues to work. In his working life as a carpenter, Mahina has lost count of the houses he has built.