Hoki, a former social worker, and Owen, a former police officer, have been married for 69 years. They have four children, 14 grandchildren, and 35 great-grandchildren. Both are members of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple; they were labor missionaries who, in the 1950s, established the temple, the first Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern Hemisphere.
Owen retired from the police force in 1988 and has filled the past 35 years with leadership positions at a variety of organizations: Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa Charitable Trust, Te Kōhao Health, Te Ngā Rau Tatangi (Māori Housing Foundation), Ngāti Kahungunu Inc., Ngāti Kahungunu ki Kiririoa, among others. He also served as President of the New Zealand Labour Missionaries Association from 1999 to 2017.
Although the Purcells are slowing down as they near 90, they still keep close tabs on the causes that mean the most to them. They live mostly independently in their home in Hamilton, although their daughters periodically stay with them to help out. Typical days are spent with family, friends, and the organizations they helped build over the years.
Hoki, who still drives, jokes that she is “on call” for Rauawaawa, ferrying other seniors to doctors appointments and activities. She has found purpose in the work she and Owen have tirelessly supported within the Māori community. “We love and appreciate bringing good to others,” she says. “That’s the most important thing — what can we do to make the lives of others better? How can we enrich one another? What do we need to do?”