Noma SHEPHERD Obituary

Sorry to hear of Noma passing. She did a great job restyling the Kawakawa museum and I was lucky enough to help. She had a very keen sense of how to display treasures.

Bill was Chairman of the Northland Regional Council when he met Noma. She was Chairman of the Trust set up to do the project. NRC had set aside sum of money to help toward getting this project off the ground. Several years had gone by and there was not much action. Understandable but not easy to justify to the Council. Bill quietly suggested to Noma that the people had to get their game together and make it happened. I remember well Noma coming over to Bill at a Xmas function we were invited to several months later. She said thank you to Bill for giving us the kick - we needed it . Your action made people focus. She said it gave her the power to wave a stick. Full credit to the people of Kawakawa - you have become one of the best little towns in the North. Noma was one of the drivers that made it happen - I know there were lots of people but she was outstanding. Our deepest sympathy to all the family- she was one of a kind and set such a wonderful example to her children and wider family and her community. God Bless.

I just wanted to send our condolences to Noma's family and say how sorry both Bill and I were that we missed her funeral. Unfortunately like a lot of people these days we do not read the papers very much. This lady was one very special person and I know she will be one of Kawakawa legends/ heroes. I first met Noma when I was working on the Kawakawa Community Centre as a photographer. I had offered to record the build on a volunteer basis so the community would have a good record for future generations. I knew she was one of the main driver of this project. She was a delight to talk to and work with. Noma's detailed speech that she gave at the official opening when the project was finished was fabulous - a bit long(haha) but so thorough. Everyone who had worked on site was acknowledged. I have a collection of photos that I took while on site for 18 months - I will post them on my Facebook page within the next two days. I asked Noma if I could use her speech in a book I will be working on covering the Kawakawa Community build - she said "yes of course Sue." It will be an honour to have her work in this story.
All our sympathy and blessings go to all the family.
Noma was one very special lady. Rest in peace

Great memories of the fun times we shared water skiing down the river. My thoughts are with you.

It has probably been 50yrs since I have seen Doug & Noma but as our neighbours in the the 60's & 70's I remember we shared a lot of good times. My mum especially had many memories with Noma.