Hikapuhi

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Hikapuhi (? – 6 January 1934) was a New Zealand Māori tohunga. She identified with the Ngati Pikiao and Te Arawa iwi.[1] She was also an accomplished weaver and examples of her weaving are held in the permanent collection of Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.[2]

Biography[]

She was born in Rotorua, New Zealand, the tenth and youngest child of Wiremu Poihipi and Harete Ngāputu.[1][2][3] The year of her birth has been variously recorded as 1851, or between 1860 and 1871.[1][2] In 1906, Hikapuhi married Alfred Clayton, a surveyor from Tasmania; they had at least eight daughters and three sons together.[1]

She became a healer and midwife and was well known for her knowledge of both Māori and European medicine. Hikapuhi's medical practices were scrutinised by government officials under the Tohunga Suppression Act 1907 however she continued to provide health care.[2]

She was also an accomplished weaver and practiced tā moko (facial tattooing). In 1914 Augustus Hamilton, the director of the Colonial Museum, purchased from her two samplers of weaving patterns specially made by Hikaphui for display in the museum. The samplers feature ten different patterns of weaving, typical of the patterns used in kete (baskets).[2]

Hikapuhi died in 1931, and was buried at Te Wharetāinga Moko, near Lake Rotoiti.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d Ballara, Angela. "Hikapuhi". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Loading... | Collections Online - Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa". collections.tepapa.govt.nz. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  3. ^ "Hikapuhi, -1934". Hikapuhi, -1934 | Items | National Library of New Zealand | National Library of New Zealand. 1 January 1934. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
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