BOPDHB History Whakatāne Hospital History Book | Page 28

This diminutive young woman ‘in her early twenties and barely five feet tall’40 was one of the brave
souls who accepted the challenge. She was appointed Sister-in-Charge of the Anglican Māori Mission
Hospital in 1913 at a time when travel throughout the district was hazardous and the ability to control
a horse and buggy was an essential part of the job. The numerous outbreaks of highly infectious
diseases required her to travel over treacherous tracks and roads as far as Torere, Matapihi, Ruatāhuna
and Te Whāiti and, when the need arose, she also established numerous ‘tent camps’ and ‘field
hospitals’ in Te Teko, Matata, Poroporo, Ruatoki, Waimana and Matahi. Not surprisingly, she acquired
a certain fluency in Te Reo Māori during her daily exposure to her patients.

Te Urewera 1918. Photo: Whakatāne District Museum & Gallery (4419)

Access through most of Te Urewera in the first quarter of the 20th Century
was usually on horseback and often very arduous especially following
heavy rain. The treatment of patients was made more immediate and
less hazardous by taking the medical services to the people instead of
attempting to move people requiring treatment into major settlements
such as Rotorua, Tauranga, Te Puke, Whakatāne or Ōpōtiki.

A tent camp in Waimana during the 1918 Influenza Epidemic.
Photo: Whakatāne District Museum & Gallery (1788)

40

Anon, “Early Nursing History of East Cape Health District”, 8 pages, circa mid 1960s
Bay of Plenty District Health Board Archive)

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