Te Kiri Karamu, Heni (1840–1933)

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Te Kiri Karamu, Heni (1840–1933)

New Zealand tribal leader, teacher, warrior, and interpreter. Name variations: Heni Pore, Jane Foley, Jane Russell. Born Nov 14, 1840, at Mokoia Island, New Zealand; died June 24, 1933, in New Zealand; dau. of either Richard Russell or Thomas William Kelly and Maraea; m. Te Kiri Karamu; m. Denis Stephen Foley, 1869; children: 11.

Taught at boarding school for Maori children in Auckland; during tribal wars, translated captured military documents for Wiremu Tamihana (1863–64); recognized as tribal warrior and supported government against Pai Marire movement (1865–66); worked as licensed interpreter and became secretary of Maori mission (1880s).

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 1).