Annie Henry (25 July 1879–29 July 1971) was a New Zealand
Presbyterian
Presbyterianism is a part of the Reformed tradition within Protestantism that broke from the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland by John Knox, who was a priest at St. Giles Cathedral (Church of Scotland). Presbyterian churches derive their nam ...
missionary
A missionary is a member of a Religious denomination, religious group which is sent into an area in order to promote its faith or provide services to people, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care, and economic development.Tho ...
who worked among the Maori people. She was born on 25 July 1879.
Personal life
Annie Henry was born at The Narrows, Riverton, Southland, New Zealand in 1879. Her father was Francis Henry, a sawmiller and her mother was Catherine McKillop. When she was 37, the Māori Mission Committee of the
Presbyterian Church of New Zealand sent her to work in
Ruatāhuna. She was described as carrying out the services of a dentist, lawyer, carpenter, plumber and social worker in the isolated community.
Sister Annie, as she was known, never married but adopted two sons: Pekahina Wharekura, and Rata Rāwiri who died aged 18.
She retired to
Ōhope in 1948. On 29 July 1971 she died in Whakatane aged 92 and was buried at Ruatāhuna.
Honours
In 1937, Annie Henry was awarded the King George VI's Coronation Medal.
In 1951, she was made a
Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations,
and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...
in the King's Birthday Honours as recognition of her work with the
Tūhoe people.
Legacy
The Sister Annie Henry Scholarship is available to assist with education or training costs for a Maori student directly descended from Reverend John George Laughton or who is of Tūhoe descent.
References
Further reading
Te Whaea Hihita: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/TAH1972.2.5
1879 births
1971 deaths
New Zealand Presbyterian missionaries
Annie
Annie may refer to:
People and fictional characters
* Annie (given name), a given name and a list of people and fictional characters with the name
* Annie (actress) (born 1975), Indian actress
* Annie (singer) (born 1977), Norwegian singer
The ...
Female Christian missionaries
Presbyterian missionaries in New Zealand
People from Riverton, New Zealand
{{NewZealand-reli-bio-stub