Mahupuku, Maata (1890–1952)

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Mahupuku, Maata (1890–1952)

New Zealand literary inspiration. Name variations: Maata Mahupuku McGregor, Maata Mahupuku Asher. Born April 10 (1890, in Greytown, Wairarapa, New Zealand; died on Jan 15, 1952, in Palmerston North, New Zealand; dau. of Richard (Tiki) William Mahupuku (sheepfarmer) and Emily (Sexton) Mahupuku; m. George Steward McGregor (farmer), 1907, div. 1914; m. Thomas Asher (landowner), 1914, div. 1932; children: (1st m.) 1 son, 2 daughters; (2nd m.) 2 daughters.

Friend of Katherine Mansfield and inspiration for story, "Kezia and Tui" (1916), and unfinished novel, Maata, published posthumously.

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