Mihi Edwards

Mihi Edwards
Born
Mihipeka-Rukuhia Anne Davis

(1918-01-19)19 January 1918
Maketu, New Zealand
Died20 May 2008(2008-05-20) (aged 90)
Wellington, New Zealand
Other namesAnne Davis
Occupations
  • Writer
  • social worker
  • teacher
Notable work
  • Mihipeka: Early Years (1990)
  • Mihipeka: Time of Turmoil (1992)
Spouse
Locksley Edwards
(m. 1950)
Children3

Mihipeka-Rukuhia Anne Edwards (née Davis; 19 January 1918 – 20 May 2008) was a New Zealand writer, social worker, teacher and kaumātua (respected Māori elder). Born in Maketu, Edwards was raised largely by her grandparents until their deaths when she was 16. For many years she lived under the Pākehā (New Zealand European) name of Anne Davis and considered herself to be living "as a Pākehā"; it was not until the 1960s that she reconnected with her Māori heritage and culture. In later life she advocated for the Māori language and Māori culture, and taught in schools and institutions. At the age of 70 she began writing her memoirs, which were published in three volumes.