Hei, Akenehi (1877/78?–1910)

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Hei, Akenehi (1877/78?–1910)

New Zealand tribal leader, nurse, and midwife. Name variations: Agnes Hei. Born probably in 1877 or 1878 at Te Kaha, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand; died on Nov 28, 1910, in Gisborne, New Zealand; dau. of Heemi Hei and Maria Nikora; sister of Hamiora Hei (lawyer); attended Hukarere Girls' School in Hawkes Bay.

Trained as nurse and midwife, entered private nursing in Gisborne (c. 1909); hired briefly by Department of Public Health during typhoid epidemic (1909); worked to improve health standards among Maori.

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 3).