Mrs Tuinawaivuvu has been working at Patoa Farms, near Hawarden, since April last year, after coming from her homeland of Fiji to pursue a better life for her and her family. In Fiji, she worked as acting manager on a 320-sow pig farm, while her husband, Ovini, was a police officer.
"I wanted to expand my knowledge and thought New Zealand would be a good place to start," she said.
Leaving the sunny skies and her family behind in Fiji, Mrs Tuinawaivuvu went to her sister’s place in Hinds, Mid Canterbury, and started looking for work. Patoa Farms was looking for an experienced stockperson and, after interviewing Mrs Tuinawaivuvu, gave her the job. She shifted to the Hurunui district and began working in the commercial herd on the farm. She said it was hard to be without her family, but they skyped each day and some time later, Mr Tuinawaivuvu and their three children, Khalani, Tina and Leah, followed her to North Canterbury. Mr Tuinawaivuvu got a job working in the growers unit on Patoa.
Keen to progress, Mrs Tuinawaivuvu studied for the national certificate in pork production which she did after work two evenings a fortnight. She said the staff were very supportive and helped her find her way around the massive outdoor sow unit at Patoa, which had more than 5000 breeding sows.
"I am an outdoor person. I love working with animals. I also love a challenge and Patoa was a challenge — it is so big."
When she was invited to attend the awards dinner, Mrs Tuinawaivuvu had no idea she was going to be presented with stockperson of the year.
"Even when they called out Mary and couldn’t say my second name, I didn’t think it was me.
"Then I realised and I was really shocked, then excited — it was amazing.
"I thought, gosh, here I am from Fiji, a tiny dot on the world map, up here getting an award in New Zealand."
The award, which is a national one, took into account not only academic excellence but also practical ability and attitude to work. Mrs Tuinawaivuvu said she was thankful that Patoa gave her the opportunity to study through the Primary ITO.
"Our children love being at Hurunui College and our youngest is at preschool.
"It has taken a bit to get used to the cold, but we are loving life in New Zealand."