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Sister Annie Henry
Full NameSister Annie Henry
Date of Birth25th July 1879Date of Death29th July 1971BiographySister Annie Henry
Born in Riverton in 1879
Trained to be a teacher
One of her teaching roles included being matron of Manunui Māori Boys Agricultural College.
Trained as a deaconess and ordained in 1916.
Ruatahuna
She was sent to Ruatahuna in Te Urewara to work among Tūhoe.
There was considerable unrest due to the recent violent arrest of the Māori prophet, Rua Kenana. In Rotorua she was told that she “Was mad to even think of going into the area”.
She began a school at Ruatahuna, and assisted Rev. John Laughton to set up a school at Maungapōhatu.
“Hehita”
She remained working among Tūhoe for the next 32 years and adopted two Māori children
The remoteness of the area led to her taking on many roles including medical care (she nursed many through the terrible influenza of 1918), midwifery, and even plumbing and carpentry.
Tūhoe referred to her as “Hehita” (Sister).
Retirement
She eventually retired to Ohope Beach at Whakatane but retained close links to the Tūhoe people she had spent so many years among.
She died in 1971 at the age of 92 and was buried at Ruatahuna.
Date of Birth25th July 1879Date of Death29th July 1971BiographySister Annie HenryBorn in Riverton in 1879
Trained to be a teacher
One of her teaching roles included being matron of Manunui Māori Boys Agricultural College.
Trained as a deaconess and ordained in 1916.
Ruatahuna
She was sent to Ruatahuna in Te Urewara to work among Tūhoe.
There was considerable unrest due to the recent violent arrest of the Māori prophet, Rua Kenana. In Rotorua she was told that she “Was mad to even think of going into the area”.
She began a school at Ruatahuna, and assisted Rev. John Laughton to set up a school at Maungapōhatu.
“Hehita”
She remained working among Tūhoe for the next 32 years and adopted two Māori children
The remoteness of the area led to her taking on many roles including medical care (she nursed many through the terrible influenza of 1918), midwifery, and even plumbing and carpentry.
Tūhoe referred to her as “Hehita” (Sister).
Retirement
She eventually retired to Ohope Beach at Whakatane but retained close links to the Tūhoe people she had spent so many years among.
She died in 1971 at the age of 92 and was buried at Ruatahuna.
Story
Relates to
Recollect CollectionPeople
Sister Annie Henry. Presbyterian Research Centre, accessed 15/04/2026, https://pcanzarchives.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/2358
