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During the 1920s the citizens of Auckland benefited from a number of munificent bequests given by Marianne Smith. An enigmatic and very private person, she was unusual in that unlike most wealthy women of the time she…

Rina Winifred Rōpiha was born in Auckland on 6 April 1923, the elder of two children of Rhoda Winifred Tūruki Walker of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and her husband, Tipi Tainui Rōpiha of Ngāti Kahungunu and Rangitāne. Rina’s…

James Alexander Pond was born on 27 September 1846 in London, England, the son of Frances Sophia Beacon and her husband, James Alexander Pond. His father was a dyer, introducing him to chemistry at an early age.…

Tūtekohi Rangi, also known as Wiremu Retimana Rangi or Richmond Rangi, was born, probably in 1871 or 1872, possibly at Mangatuna (north of Tolaga Bay), on the East Coast. His father was Ratawari Rangi of Ngāti Kuranui (…

Grace Bracken was born in June 1805, at Midgley, near Halifax, Yorkshire, England, and was baptised on 9 August 1805 at Halifax. She was the fourth daughter of eight children of Grace Appleyard and her husband, Jonathan…

Helen Brew was an indefatigable campaigner for the rights of women and children. She fought for women to have control over the process of giving birth, founded the Parents Centre movement, undertook political campaigns…

Sarah Ann Rigelsford was born in London, England, probably in 1821 or 1822. Her mother's name is unknown; her father was John Rigelsford, a labourer. She was clever at needlework and as a young woman she set up her own…

The small market town of Duns, Berwickshire, Scotland, was the birthplace, on 17 November 1907, of Mary Greig Campbell. Her father, Alexander John Campbell, a doctor, was the third of his family to practise in the area…

Hannah Retter was born two months before the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and died as the treaty's centennial was being celebrated. Hers was one of a number of families created along Wellington's west coast by…

Jim Shum, whose Chinese name was Sham Tseung Chim, was baptised James by the Reverend Alexander Don. Shum had chosen the name Jim because it sounded like his Chinese name, Chim. Both Don and another missionary, G. H.…

Thomas Henry Sprott was born on 26 September 1856 at Dromore, County Down, Ireland, the son of Catherine Berry and her husband, William Sprott, a linen merchant. Sprott entered Trinity College, University of Dublin, in…

Kathleen Anne Baird Hall was born in Napier on 4 October 1896, the fifth child in a family of seven. Her father, Thomas Hall, was the district land registrar in Napier; her mother, Helen Baird Hall (née Macky), was a…

Margaret Malcolm was born at Richmond, Nelson, New Zealand, on 17 December 1848. She was the youngest of five children of Margaret Barrie and her husband, Andrew Malcolm, a wheelwright. Her parents were Presbyterians…

Mārama Moetara was born, probably in 1875 or 1876, at Waimamaku, a coastal Te Roroa village on fertile land a few miles south of Hokianga harbour. She was the youngest of four sisters and two brothers, including the…

Joan Dingley was a mycologist, expert in plant taxonomy, horticulturalist and gardener who worked for 35 years in the Plant Diseases Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR). Her…

James Gibb was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, on 15 June 1857, the son of James Gibb, a shoemaker, and his wife, Jane Greig, both devout members of the United Presbyterian church. James attended Aberdeen Grammar School…

George Gage, or Hōri Te Kou-o-rehua Keeti as he was known to Māori, was born probably in 1895 or 1896 at Kihikihi, Waikato. His father, John Gage (Hōne Keeti), was of Ngāti Maniapoto. His mother, Rea Waitāuhi Nikorima…

Ian Prior was an influential doctor, activist and art patron. His ground-breaking health surveys in Pākehā and Māori communities in Aotearoa New Zealand and in Cook Islands and Tokelau earned him recognition as the…

Inger Kathrine Nielsen was born on 5 September 1867, at Tyrsted, near Horsens, Denmark, to Mette Katharine Mikkelsen and her husband, Søren Nielsen, a farmer. Of nine children only Inger and her sister Dagmar survived.…

Hēni Materoa, also known as Te Huinga, was born at Makauri, a few miles to the north-west of Tūranga (Gisborne); her birth date could have been either 27 October 1852 or 29 October 1856. Her father was Mīkaera Tūrangi…