The experiences and perspectives of women are often left out of history books. Many simply tell His Story. The following two women were both significant figures in WWI, though the latter was not well known, because of their actions and what they stood for.
Te puea herangi
Te Puea Herangi was the Granddaughter of the Second Maori King Tawhiao.
- Born in 1883, Te Puea grew up in a world still reeling from the effects of the land confiscations just 15 years earlier.
- She was part of the tribe Ngati Mahuta.
- Te Puea's Grandfather King Tawhiao was an influential leader, and his memories and teachings stayed on after his death. Not only his declaration of peace, but to remain steadfast in faith during times of difficulty.
- She was the face and leader of the resistance to government conscription policy.
- Te Puea offered a safe haven for those who believed in peace and in land rights and did not want to fight. She led a campaign of passive resistance for those who were not afraid to show men of their own race how they felt about fighting, and were prepared to stand by their beliefs.
- The resistance stemmed from the fact that the government had possessed Maori land in the Waikato reason, and the grievance had not been dealt with. Men did not want to fight in support for a government who had treated them unjustly.
- Men from Taranaki had joined the Waikato movement because they did not want to fight; their land had been taken in the New Zealand wars too and there was still feelings of unrest amongst the the Taranaki people.
- A number of men were removed, and taken to military camp in Auckland where they were pressured to fight. Te Puea came up to the city and visited the men, giving them encouragement and hope in their imprisonment.
- Police came to collect those who had not responded to their conscription notice. On this day, the people gathered on the Marae - in peaceful protest. Te Puea and another man reminded the people of Tawhiao and his message and leadership, prompting them to remember the reasons why they were resisting military service and promoting peace and justice amongst themselves.
- Te Puea wrote many waiata. One of these songs, Nga ra o Hune ka ara te pakanga', was written to give her people encouragement to stick to their beliefs. It discusses the past, and the conflicts the people have journeyed through. It is lamenting, but full of pride. It recognises what the people have been through and gives them courage to continue. She wrote many waiata to support and encourage her people.
- Her ongoing support of her people extended beyond encouragement. She cared for her community during the influenza pandemic in 1918 and took in the orphans, placing them with surviving, capable families.
- Police came to collect those who had not responded to their conscription notice. On this day, the people gathered on the Marae - in peaceful protest. Te Puea and another man reminded the people of Tawhiao and his message and leadership, prompting them to remember the reasons why they were resisting military service and promoting peace and justice amongst themselves.
Ethel pritchard
Ethel Pritchard was one of the first nurses of Maori descent to leave New Zealand to aid the war effort.
- Ethel Watkins Taylor Great Great Grandmother was Moengaroa of Te Hikutu, a hapu (sub tribe) of Nga Puhi. Ethel was not a full blood Maori, but of Maori descent.
- She was selected as one of the first 50 nurses to leave NZ and aid the war effort leaving in April 1915.
- She served her time in Egypt as specified on her military record. Her record shows that she served in the theatres of Operation in ‘Egyptian and Egyptian E.F.’ (Expeditionary Force). She also worked on hospital
- She was promoted to a Sister in 1916.
- She received the British War Medal Victory Medal and served for a total of 4 years and 78 days with the New Zealand Army Nursing Service. She nursed over 3500 patients and convalescents.
- The image of her shows her in uniform. She appears to be outside, and ANZAC soldiers can be seen in the background, identifiable by their ‘lemon squeezer’ hats.
- Her willingness to serve and represent her country is a credit to her as a woman, and as a Maori, especially in 1916 society. As a member of an undervalued people in her home country, she worked against the stereotype and had helped many soldiers retain their lives and dignity
Ethel pritchard (nee watkins taylor) military record
Her years of service, location and other details can all be found on the record.