Wanda Messam, foster mother, 1944
They say a mother’s love is infinite — but Wanda Messam has tested the theory more than most, fostering a staggering 300 Kiwi kids during the past four decades.
Together with her husband Lewis, the couple went on to adopt five children, including All Black star Liam Messam.
From babies to teenagers, the family opened their Rotorua home — and hearts — to anyone in need. While some only stayed a weekend, others lived with the family for up to three years.
“We could, so we did,” says Wanda modestly. “We had a big house. We added onto the Mabel Howard championed children and women’s rights during her long career in politics.
Opposition, regularly taunting National over the cost of living. It was during this time she performed her most house a few times. We had plenty of room to take others, so we did.”
Wanda also credits her other children with helping to raise their foster siblings.
“Our kids learned a lot by having all these children. The older ones were great with them, told them what they were not allowed to do and what they could do . . . Now, all my kids are excellent parents.”
The couple were first turned on to fostering in the 70s, when they looked to Wanda Messam
memorable stunt, bringing two pairs of women’s bloomers into the debating chamber and waving them in adopt a child. The Department of Social Welfare suggested they try fostering first.
“It never really entered our head at all to foster kids,” says Wanda. “We had three of our own and decided ‘that’s probably enough’. But then we thought it might be nice to adopt a kid. We ourselves had two boys and a girl and so we asked for another girl.”
From there, they adopted another four children, including their youngest son, Liam, who went on to front of the shocked house.
Her point was to illustrate a lack of standardisation in the garment industry — the two pairs of underpants were labelled the same size but were visibly not even close — and her flamboyant argument worked, with standardised sizing passed into law soon after.
When Labour reclaimed power in 1957, Howard became the Minister of Social Security, Minister in charge of the Welfare of Women and Children, and Minister in charge of the Child Welfare Department.
During this time she also introduced the Animals Protection Act, a cause close become a rugby star.
“I’m very blessed, I don’t think I’d be in the position I am today without the family, so I am very grateful I am a Messam,” he told Newshub last year.
“They gave us another chance at life and they open their hearts to everyone.”
Wanda is reluctant to accept the status of trailblazer — but admits she’s pleased with her life’s achievements.
“It makes me feel like I’ve done my bit. I’m pleased I’ve done it. I learned a lot from it — for myself as well. I’m pretty sure we’ve given quite a few kids a different outlook on life.”
Howard was also known for her deep empathy.
to her heart. Howard’s love of cats was well known and she was president of the SPCA in Christchurch for many years.
In fact, Howard was once caught in a lie after asking the Prime Minister, Keith Holyoake, if she could absent herself from Parliament as her nephew had been in an accident and was in hospital. It soon emerged, there was no nephew but rather, her cat had been run over and Howard had left it in her fridge at home, awaiting a proper burial.
Howard confessed she had lied to the Prime Minister but was still allowed to leave the house and tend to her cat.
Howard remained in Parliament until 1969, when Labour introduced a mandatory retirement age, forcing the 75-year-old politician to retire. By that stage, she was already suffering the early stages of dementia and died three years later.