Mylrea Bell probably knows as many people in Wanaka as anyone does. She’s lived and worked in the area for nearly 40 years, had two sons grow up here, and gets to know at least 60 locals every year in her role as tutor of small business and money management courses.

Mylrea’s also one of those community people known for their kindness: She can regularly be found baking for someone needing support, or helping out with other people’s children. In short, she’s one of those people who’s a very good friend to have.

For all her sociability, Mylrea spends a lot of time alone. While her tutoring takes her out three nights a week the rest of her job is done from her home in the Maungawera Valley.

Mylrea’s partner Andy Woods is away a lot, busy with his range of jobs which include being a fixed wing pilot, a jet boat skipper and a professional photographer, and her two sons have left home.

But Mylrea’s quite content on their rural lifestyle block, and her work, love for animals and varied interests keep her busy.

“I love it in the Maungawera. I like working from home and I’m never bored. I’ve got a cat, and pet hawk which I feed. I love birds of prey.”  

In her spare time she likes to learn about Maori art, natural history, the West Coast, and her own family history.

Before ending up in Maungawera Valley, Mylrea’s journey - and her curious spirit - took her all over the place, as it did the generations before her.

Mylrea was born and bred in Milton; and her ancestors came from the Isle of Man. The name Mylrea was originally a family surname, but now many of her female relatives are called Mylrea. This weekend she is visiting a distant relative from Australia she met online (Diana Banks) who has written a book called “The Mylreas of the Isle of Man”.

Mylrea’s own research has recently unearthed some ancestors and their journey to New Zealand. They were her great-great aunt and uncle Elisa and Philip Mylrea, who left the Isle of Man and went to the United States learn the confectionary trade on their way to New Zealand. While in America, Philip and their four-year-old son died of fever. Elisa continued on alone, only to be shipwrecked off the coast of Brazil. She and a small group of other survivors weren’t found for several months, but once she had recovered from the ordeal Elisa carried on to New Zealand where she opened her shop E. Mylrea Confectioner in Nelson.

The entrepreneurial spirit has continued down the generations. Our Mylrea studied English at Otago University and then trained as a teacher, lasting just one year in that profession before seeking more adventures.

She spent the next seven summers cooking at Pyke Lodge on the Hollyford Track (where her husband-to-be was a jet boat driver), and seven winters working at Treble Cone. Mylrea started in the ticket office, then moved into administration and human resources, eventually becoming the marketing manager.

“I wanted to make sure I was doing it right so I did a diploma in business studies by correspondence from Massey while I was working at TC.”

After that Mylrea helped establish, and then managed, the Wanaka Work Initiative Centre (1991-2003) which focused on fostering employment opportunities and community and economic development.

In 2004 an opportunity came up to teach money management and small business courses. Mylrea felt she had the right skill set so applied for the contract, and that’s what she’s been doing ever since.

This year’s courses start later this month, and range from a 20-week certificate in money management to two 36-week courses in small business and project management.

“The money management course attracts all sorts, from people who are maxed out on their credit cards to people who have some money and want to invest it. Many New Zealanders are financially illiterate. I wish I had done a course like this when I was 18.”

The small business and money management courses are for people wanting to start a small business or those who already have but would like some help.

“Wanaka’s a great place to set up a business because it’s got a growing population. I really enjoy the people on the courses. They’re usually very able, they’re sparked up and they have a good sense of humour. They share a lot of information and it builds everyone’s confidence. They’re very practical courses and it’s great watching people build their businesses and being a part of it.”

Mylrea’s definitely more than “a part of it”.  Many former students say they wouldn’t have succeeded without her expert tutoring and support.  And it looks like that support will be there for years to come. After 14 years in the job Mylrea says she has no plans to retire any time soon.

If you’re interested in taking one of Mylrea’s courses this year, please email [email protected].

PHOTO: Andy Woods