Sister Grace McNaught

In 1912, Grace trained to become a nurse graduating from Auckland Hospital a year later. At the being of the first world war she served at the Army Camp Hospital for the New Zealand Navy in Narrow Neck, Devonport. She volunteered to serve overseas but was refused because she was considered too young.

Her nursing career took her all over the upper North Island. Kaitaia, Mokau, Raglan, Kawhia, Te Awamutu, Te Aroha, Thames. Her skills proved invaluable during the outbreak of the influenza epidemic in October of 1918. In two months New Zealand lost about half as many people to influenza as it had in the whole of the First World War. Grace was renowned for her ability to connect with isolated communities, providing first aid, and teaching the importance of health and hygiene methods to locals. Her ability to speak fluent Te Reo Māori and communicate with locals helped to ease their mistrust of the hospital system and western medicine.

Another value that descends from Grace is the importance of a good feed for the health of our rangatahi. Later in life when Grace returned to Te Kuiti. she quickly discovered that many of the tamariki at the local school were arriving without any lunch and going hungry. Taking it upon herself to feed as many as she could, most days Grace would host lunches for up to 40 children. Donations of food from the community soon poured in and many of the children had hot nourishing lunches all through the winter. Soon the children started to gain weight and their overall health improved. If she was still alive today, I am sure she would be a major advocate for the poverty we see in Aotearoa today.

For her years of tireless work in the community Grace was appointed the districts Lady Māori Welfare Officer for the department of Māori Affairs, was a founding member of the Māori Womens Welfare League when Dame Whina Cooper was president. It was in 1971 that she was awarded the British Empire Medal (B.E.M) for services to the community in the Queens birthday Honours.

Grace was a truly inspirational wahine toa to many. I strive to represent her spirit, in my photography, my design and in everyday life.