Helen Brown

Guest writer

Helen Brown (Ngāi Tahu) is a descendant of Te Wharerimu and Patahi, two wāhine toa from the deep south. She is a senior researcher in the Archive Team at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. In 2017 she was the project lead and co-editor of a book of Ngāi Tahu biography, Tāngata Ngāi Tahu: People of Ngāi Tahu published by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Bridget Williams Books. She is currently working on a second volume.

Mere Harper, an unidentified man (possibly her son, William Harper jr) and Ria Tikini at the Harper family home, Huriawa, c.1904–1919. W. A. Taylor Collection, Canterbury Museum.

Mere Harper: the Ngāi Tahu midwife who helped found Plunket

This Sunday, five wāhine Māori are telling stories at Te Papa about the women who have inspired and shaped them. Helen Brown (Ngāi Tahu) remembers Mere Harper (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Huirapa) – midwife, porter, wahine toa.

By Helen Brown | 9th August, 2018

Guest writer

The Spinoff

Helen Brown

Mere Harper: the Ngāi Tahu midwife who helped found Plunket

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