Jackie Clark and The Aunties

Discover the journey of the breast-baring battler for women who started as the pampered, private-schooled daughter of Crown Lynn’s founder.

 

In the gentrified Auckland suburb of Mt Eden, Jackie Clark’s home was, by far, the most dilapidated on the street.

Neglected and rundown, the house had overgrown lawns, peeling paint, boarded-up windows, and a pervasive stench of dog. Jackie and her husband had coped with living in darkness for a month due to rat-inflicted electrical damage.

Her mother refused to visit the dilapidated dwelling, which sold last year for $1.6 million.

Following the sale, 53-year-old Jackie relocated to a more affordable and improved dwelling in South Auckland. She made a life-altering decision to resign from her job as a kindergarten teacher to focus entirely on unpaid work for her charity, The Aunties.

At the core of The Aunties is the concept of redistributing unused items from the privileged to the needy, particularly women and children affected by domestic violence residing in or having sought refuge in two safe houses in South Auckland. Jackie assumes the role of head auntie.

Arriving for a visit one drizzly Tuesday morning, Jackie’s car’s rear windshield wiper hung limply, resembling a sulking creature on her silver hatchback sporting the personalized plate HAK1S – a nickname derived from her given Māori name, Haki.

Having logged approximately 15,000 kilometers this year alone for collection and deliveries around Auckland, Jackie initiated these charitable transports in 2013 but only began receiving mileage compensation in April. She aspires to earn a formal salary for her philanthropic endeavors in the coming year.

Upon pointing out the broken wiper, Jackie casually acknowledged the issue while engaging in a continuous stream of telephone conversations that seem to dominate her days.

Often discussing supermarket vouchers and school uniforms, her casual demeanor underscores her prioritization of her cause over personal appearances.

For Jackie, appearances matter only in service of “her girls,” a collective term referring to the hundreds of women aided annually through The Aunties. Whether in dire need with no possessions upon arrival or requiring supplemental support like warm clothing, shoes, or a compassionate ear, Jackie ensures her girls are provided with essentials and care.

Her tireless efforts involve securing bedding, hygiene products, clothing, and sustenance for her girls, with special attention during the festive season, ensuring her girls receive gifts and experiences to lift their spirits.

Even after departure, the support from The Aunties extends with ongoing aid like food vouchers, bill payment assistance, and practical help for women often found struggling to meet basic needs.

Utilizing social media, Jackie mobilizes her network of donors, referred to as aunties regardless of gender, and channels their contributions through a crowdfunded storage unit equipped to meet urgent requests.

However, Jackie remains steadfast in filtering out unwanted contributions like musty clothes, used cosmetics, or tattered shoes, asserting her girls deserve better.

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Unconventional and unapologetic, Jackie’s persona is marked by her preference for Pall Mall reds, caffeinated beverages, and a distinct, raspy voice tinged with her posh private school upbringing.

Her candid nature often garners controversy, with a penchant for blunt opinions and unfiltered social media rants.

Adopting social causes with fervor, Jackie’s advocacy spans from criticizing perceived classism and racism to confronting institutions over perceived injustices.

Not one to shy away from confrontation, Jackie’s bold actions, such as baring her chest in protest or vocally challenging societal norms, epitomize her fierce dedication to supporting women’s rights.

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In the living room of her new home in Manurewa, a striking cabinet showcases a cherished collection of New Zealand ceramics once owned by her father, Crown Lynn founder Sir Tom Clark.

Overlooking this display is a grand portrait of Sir Tom, exuding authority with his distinctive white hair and tailored suit. The cabinet also hosts cherished mementos, including a watercolor portrait of Jackie, a commendation certificate, and a motivational quote celebrating empowered women.

With a deep-rooted family history in clay craftsmanship dating back to her great-great-grandfather, Jackie’s philanthropic journey intertwines a legacy of ingenuity and compassion.

Jackie shares that her great-great-grandmother lived in a bush hut and spoke te reo. Her waka was used to transport produce down Waitematā Harbour for selling in Auckland. Together with others, he established the Amalgamated Brick and Pipe factory in New Lynn in 1925. During the Great Depression, he pulled his grandson Tom out of King’s College to work at the factory. The company was tasked with producing coffee mugs and plates during the Second World War due to import restrictions, marking the beginning of Crown Lynn.

Sir Tom, who married three times, had nine Clark kids, now eight after one passed away, according to Jackie. Her father, at 46, married her mother, a 23-year-old teacher named Patricia. Jacqueline was born in 1964 and grew up in what she calls “white New Zealand,” unaware of societal divides.

Jackie, known for her independence from a young age, used to visit neighbors early in the morning in her nightie as a child. She attended various schools, including boarding school in Wellington, where she was described as ‘intransigent’ on a report. Later, she returned to Auckland for her final year at Rangitoto College.

Lady Patricia describes Jackie as different and outspoken. Since the inception of The Aunties, Lady Patricia’s garage has turned into a hub where Jackie gathers items, visits her mother, and her dog, Oliver. Lady Patricia attributes Jackie’s philanthropic nature to her upbringing and praises her for making a positive impact through The Aunties.

Jackie’s awareness of societal issues heightened in 1981 during a Springbok tour protest march with Lady Patricia. Studying history and joining the anti-racism movement at the University of Auckland in 1982 fueled her political activism. After various experiences abroad, she worked at a kindergarten in South Auckland, witnessing firsthand the struggles faced by the community.

Jackie’s involvement with the refuge began by donating clothes from the kindergarten, which led to a deeper connection with the plight of the women seeking help. She continues to support them through The Aunties, a network that started with a small group of friends in 2013 and has since grown into a significant support system.“It’s always been a bit like that. I’m the interface.”

The Aunties got together between them, gathering “ridiculous amounts” of presents – children in the refuge received about seven each.

Jackie went to the safe house after Christmas to find hardly anyone staying there. The pantry held nothing but expired tins of tomatoes. She decided to start getting food. Twitter aunties began sending Countdown deliveries to the refuge. In September 2014, the first Givealittle page was set up by her. The original goal was to spend $660 a month from the donations on groceries. Jackie describes it as “astonishingly” successful.

They started a second, open-ended Givealittle page in August 2015. Between then and now, $81,479.97 has been donated and spent on the women and children of the safe houses.

Jackie continued to “get the girls their stuff” in the meantime. She made specific lists of needed items at the safe houses once a week, which she would then email, tweet, or Facebook out to a growing database of aunties.

…Shoes size 9-8, undies, bras 12D, 2-year-old baby clothes, and baby shoes size 5, slippers, body wash, shampoos, conditioner, baby products, bassinet, infant bath…

It was chaotic. Jackie’s workload for the refuge was proliferating as she taught full-time.

She reached the point of burnout early last year.

In about March, she began discussing making changes with her husband. They put their house on the market in June, and it sold in August.

“I felt free, as I knew I could quit work.”

The Aunties became a registered charity in September, allowing payment for a storage unit and Jackie’s mileage. The number of safe houses increased, Jackie took on clients in the community, started helping women in emergency housing, and became involved with NZ Prostitutes’ Collective.

She avoids thinking about the money earned from selling her house as it makes her uncomfortable. Rising property prices in Auckland have pushed many further away from the city center, into more deprived suburbs where living conditions are dire.

“I don’t feel guilty, but I don’t like to discuss it,” Jackie remarks. “The thing that has given me this life is the same thing that makes it incredibly difficult for my girls to get out.”

The house at 12 Thorley St went back on the market in November this year.

“Better than new!” proclaims the advertisement. The house has undergone complete renovation. No more rat-chewed wires, boarded-up windows, or unmowed lawns. A new stone masonry fence replaces a crumbling brick one. Inside, there’s a “theatre room” and a cellar “with bespoke racking for your wine collection.”

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On a sunny afternoon in her little car, Jackie and I are on the motorway heading to West Auckland to collect some items. A fresh tattoo of the Aunties logo – a green tree with heart-shaped apples – is visible on the inside of her lower arm as she grips the steering wheel.

Despite her exhaustion, Jackie is working just as hard as, if not more than, when she was a teacher. She rarely gets a day off as there are always deliveries to make and a constant stream of calls, texts, emails, and Facebook messages to handle. She’s learning to establish boundaries and tries to decline when possible.

Jackie refers to it as a “constant sea of need.” She remains realistic about her work – her goal isn’t to end family violence.

“It will never stop. All you can do is just do the best you can with what you can. I’m not doing this to make a difference. I’m doing it to be with the people I like being with. They’re women with whom I have commonalities. It’s been really joyous for me.

“I do it because I love it. And I am good at it. And I can.”

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Where to get help

• Women’s Refuge: (0800 733 843)
• Are You OK: (0800 456 450)
• Shine: 0508 744 633
• Victim Support: 0800 650 654

If it is an emergency or you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.