Mihi Edwards | |
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Born | Mihipeka-Rukuhia Anne Davis 19 January 1918 Maketu, New Zealand |
Died | 20 May 2008 Wellington, New Zealand | (aged 90)
Other names | Anne Davis |
Occupations |
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Notable work |
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Spouse |
Locksley Edwards (m. 1950) |
Children | 3 |
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.