Letters between Ruta Te Rauparaha, Pipi Te Whiwhi and Eliza Grey—a presentation at the Women and 19th Century Literature conference

Dr Arini Loader, of Victoria University of Wellington’s School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations, will give a presentation on letters which were sent between three Māori and non-Māori women in the 19th century.

Dr Loader’s presentation is part of the Women and 19th Century Literature conference being held at the National Library in Wellington on Friday (23 January).

Ruta Te Rauparaha was the wife of Tamihana Te Rauparaha—Ngati Toa leader, missionary, writer, sheep farmer and assessor, and son of the renowned warrior Te Rauparaha.

Pipi Te Whiwhi was the wife of Henare Matene Te Whiwhi—Ngati Toa and Ngati Raukawa leader, missionary and assessor, and nephew of Te Rauparaha.

Both men were early supporters of the King movement and both couples lived at Otaki.

Eliza Grey was the wife of Sir George Grey, Governor of New Zealand, and lived at Auckland.

The three women wrote to each other for five years between 1848 and 1853, supporting and consoling one another through good times as well as in times of illness and through periods of intense loneliness and doubt.

Dr Loader’s presentation will explore the role of letter writing in 19th century relationships between Māori and non-Māori women.

Date: Friday 23 January 2015
Time: 11.00am – 12.30pm
Venue: Lower Ground Floor Foyer, National Library, Molesworth Street, Wellington