She was captivated by the expression on the woman's face and decided to buy the painting, even though it was a considerable amount of money.

"I kept looking at her and thinking, what is it about you. I was surprised it hadn't sold," she recalls.

The painting, a portrait of Tūhoe kuia Rangi Ruri, was by a Wellington artist who was well known for painting Kuia with moko kauae. Alexandra did not know much about the woman in the portrait but she felt a connection to her.

"The painting was really important to me - for me she was company. Her face was so serene so I'd look at her and feel better," she says.

The painting travelled with Alexandra to different places (including overseas) and became part of her life. Now living as a resident of Arvida Olive Tree retirement community in Palmerston North, she felt that it was time to find out more about the woman in the painting and return her to her Iwi. After doing some research Alexandra discovered that Rangi was from Tuhoi Iwi, near Whakatane. She contacted the local museum and they were delighted to accept the painting as a generous gift. The painting, which is now valued at $8-$10,000, was welcomed with a karakia and lots of admiration.

"To me it mattered more that she went where she needed to be appreciated most," Alexandra says.

The Whakatane Museum began research into the painting immediately and managed to track down Rangi's whānau. Even though Alexandra misses the portrait, she feels the painting is now in a museum where others can enjoy her too.

“I feel like I've done the right thing and I hope Rangi is happy too.”

*Photo courtesy of Whakatane Beacon newspaper.